Multiple battery management system, auxiliary battery attachment system, and network controlled multiple battery system

ABSTRACT

The instant invention is directed to a multiple battery system and network controlled multiple battery system. A main battery having a main positive output and a main negative output is also provided, together with an at least one auxiliary battery having an at least one auxiliary positive output and an at least one auxiliary negative output. A main electrical circuit having an at least one switching device is provided with at least two operating positions. The two operating positions selectively couple the main and at least one auxiliary battery to the common positive terminal. In the first of the at least two operating positions electrical charge is provided to both the main battery and the at least one auxiliary battery. A controller is also provided and coupled to the main electrical circuit and switches the at least one switching device based on input from an at least one sensor.

FOREIGN PRIORITY DATA

This application claims benefit of earlier filed U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/604,703 entitled “Multiple Battery System and AuxiliaryBattery Attachment System” filed on Aug. 11, 2003 and earlier filed U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/708,739 entitled “Multiple Battery Systemand Network controlled multiple Battery System” filed on Mar. 22, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, generally, to rechargeable batterysystems including a main and an at least one auxiliary battery disposedfor selective electrical communication, and more particularly to vehiclebattery systems wherein the batteries of the battery system areconfigured within a housing having conventional external dimensions.Additionally the present invention includes an attachment for providingan at least one auxiliary battery attachment system to a conventionalbattery with circuitry for selectively engaging the main and at leastone auxiliary battery and a method of detecting electrical faults in anelectrical system coupled to the battery system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

Almost every vehicle utilized today requires a battery to operate. Thebattery usually initiates an internal combustion reaction that is at theheart of conventional motors. Additionally, with the development ofelectric and hybrid-electric vehicles that rely directly on batteries tofunction there is an increased need for a reliable supply of power frombatteries. Recently, significant improvements in battery technologieshave allowed conventional sized batteries to have increased power,increased operating life, better response to discharge and rechargecycling, and lower maintenance requirements than predecessors. This hasallowed for improved starting, as well as prolonged operation ofvehicles, equipment, and auxiliary devices.

However, the elements of a conventional battery have changed little,even as many other aspects of vehicle technology and safety haveimproved. Conventional vehicle batteries, for example, include a fairlystandard sized rectangular casing containing cells (six cells fortwelve-volt batteries—three cells for six-volt batteries). These cellstypically contain positive and negative battery plates and electrolyticfluid to allow the battery to store reserve electricity and replenishthis reserve from a generating source, such as an electrical system. Thebattery is typically coupled through a standard set of electrical cablesto the electrical system of the vehicle or piece of equipment.

However, a significant problem with existing batteries occurs if, forany reason, the conventional battery loses power or is discharged. Therequired source for electrical power to start or operate the vehicle ordevice is lost. Similarly, if, for instance, automobile lights areaccidentally left on for extended periods of time without the automobilerunning, discharge of the battery is inevitable. Additionally, if otherauxiliary equipment, such as a radio, fan, or the like, is left onwithout the engine running similar problems can occur. A still furtherway the electrical system of a vehicle might fail is through shorts orbad connections to the battery, so that the battery does not rechargeduring use. This may also occur when a recharging mechanism, such as analternator or generator, is non-functioning. These are just some of thetypes of problems or discharge scenarios that may occur in which failureof or discharge of the battery leaves the vehicle helpless.

One way to provide power back to the battery in the case of a dischargescenario is through a jump-start. However, this requires an additionalvehicle, which may not be available. Jump-starting also subjects boththe discharged battery and the jump-starting battery to potentialdamage, even the possibility of a catastrophic explosion if theelectrical connections are improperly coupled. There are alsocommercially available alternatives to vehicle-to-vehicle jump-starting.Primarily these devices comprise portable auxiliary power sources forjump-starting a discharged battery. A major drawback of these devices isthat they require the electrical system of the vehicle to be in operablecondition to restore the battery. Most of these portable “emergencybatteries” typically comprise a small reserve battery which is pluggedinto the electrical system of an automobile, for example through thecigarette lighter plug, and can only be recharged in a household outlet.As it cannot be recharged from the vehicle, if the discharge recurs forany reason the user is potentially stranded. These systems, togetherwith the conventional methods of jump-starting a battery, currentlyprovide the only commercially available ways to overcome the loss ofpower in a battery or other discharge scenario.

Several attempts at improving the functionality of batteries indischarge scenarios by utilizing auxiliary batteries to forestall theneed for jump-starting have been attempted, but none have met with anycommercial success. These previous commercial attempts at dual batterysystems have proven unreliable and cumbersome or worse, non-functional.Many significant drawbacks are seen in many of the early systems,requiring costly modifications due to non-standard battery sizes,modifications to the battery terminals, and/or modification to theelectrical system of the vehicle or the device. These modifications madethese systems costly to implement and less reliable than the standardsized batteries. Examples of these early attempts include U.S. Pat. No.3,200,014 to Roberts and U.S. Pat. No. 3,029,301 to Strider.

Another example of these early systems included a three-post system fromDELCO. The battery housing had three external terminals extending fromthe cover: a main battery positive terminal, a reserve battery positiveterminal, and a common negative terminal. The negative terminalelectrodes of each battery in the system were purportedly connectedthrough a link in the battery housing cover assembly. Thus, this vehicleelectrical system required three cables to accommodate the system andrequired an additional solenoid that was activated during starting. Thisnon-standard configuration meant additional costs and headache for theend-user, requiring special three post batteries and cables. This andthe added costs from the need for additional electrical components madethe devices commercially unsuccessful.

Additional attempts at achieving a commercially successful system havebeen made that would fit standard electrical cable configurations, butthese have also failed. Vehicle battery systems like those shown in U.S.Pat. No. 5,002,840 to Klenenow et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,164 toDougherty et. al. (the '840 and '164 patents), show a main and a reserveunit, separated simply by a one-way diode for maintaining the reserveunit in the charged condition during non-use. The main and reservebatteries of the '840 and '164 patents are coupled in parallel with adiode and resistor therebetween and would require only the standardtwo-post battery configuration. In a normal operating mode a resistor,for instance a variable resistance, positive temperature coefficientresistor, precedes the one-way diode. The variable or positivecoefficient resistor steps down the amperage to limit the amount ofcurrent, and, hence, the amount of heat generated by the diode. Thediode prevents the reserve battery from discharging to the main batterywhile allowing current to reach the battery, but it is limited toproviding a trickle charge to the reserve battery for recharging. Ashunt is provided that is engaged in discharge scenarios to effectivelybypass the resistor and diode and put the two battery units in parallelwithout the diode, and thereby engage the reserve battery. The entiresystem is coupled through the negative terminals of each battery thatare brought into contact in the parallel circuit.

These circuits and battery configurations have several disadvantages.The diodes described in the '840 and '164 patents are low capacitydiodes. These low capacity diodes are problematic in that they have alimited current carrying capacity. Since the low capacity diodes have arelatively small current carrying capacity, they may be destroyed ifexcessive current is driven through them. For instance if the fullcurrent capacity of a vehicle electrical system were driven through thediode alone, the diode would be destroyed. Thus these systems need tostep down the current with a resistor. This limits the amount of currentused to charge the reserve battery. Therefore, these devices and otherdevices like them are limited to charging the reserve battery with a lowcurrent or “trickle” charge, taking a significant amount of time torecharge this reserve battery. The long duration to charge the reservebattery is a significant disadvantage of such devices in dischargescenarios.

Moreover, the engagement of the shunt in the circuit as described dumpsthe discharged battery into parallel with the charged battery. Thecharged reserve battery thus has to contend with both the load placed onit by the vehicle or device and the load of the discharged main battery.Operator error can cause additional problems. If the switch or shunt isinadvertently left in the bypass mode or if an undetected fault occursin the battery or electrical system, the reserve unit will dischargealong with the main unit, thereby impairing the ability of the reserveunit to function as an auxiliary starting battery.

Thus, in a discharge scenario, the device of the '840 and '164 patentswould put added stress on the reserve battery and, potentially, requirea long cycle time to recharge the reserve electrical power storedtherein. This would be an especially grave problem if the vehicle wereto have a short or other electrical system failure, severely limitingthe operating time of the vehicle on just the reserve battery.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,502 to Kump discloses a set of plates andplate frames, movable bus bars, and circuitry components, including adiode in the circuitry that allows for recharging of a reserve batterydefined from the set of plates and engaged by a switch. The diodeprevents current from being drawn from the reserve battery unless aswitch is turned to a reserve setting. Similar to the '840 and '164patents, in the '502 patent when the reserve battery plates areselectively engaged, it puts the main and reserve batteries in parallelwith each other upon engagement of the switch. This solution has thesame problems as the '840 and '164 patents, and, similarly couples thenegative terminals of the two batteries. The reserve battery is saddledwith the load of the electrical system and the load of the dischargedmain battery when trying to start from a discharge scenario, asengagement draws the reserve electrical energy in the system down. Thereis no suggestion in any of the aforementioned references of any way toovercome this problem, and in the case of the '502 patent, there is noway electrically isolate the reserve battery as it is composed of platesshared with the main battery.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,750 to Hwa, a two-part battery is disclosedhaving a microprocessor control switch. The Hwa device contains twotwelve-volt batteries in a single housing sharing a common negativeterminal end and a single positive terminal. The secondary battery isprovided for intermittent engagement to fulfill requirements for shortduration, high current output situations. A switch box is provided topermit switching from just the main battery to engaging the main andsecondary battery. Again, the batteries are in parallel when engaged andwould be poorly equipped to deal with a discharge scenario, for reasonssimilar to those previously discussed in regards to the otherreferences. Furthermore, there is no indication or suggestion of a diodeor similar device provided in the circuitry of the '750 patent forcharging the secondary battery and, thus, the secondary battery is notnecessarily kept in a charged state, because the secondary battery isonly providing additional cranking power.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,827 Patent to Yu discloses a silicon controlledrectifier for automatically switching off the battery pack when thebattery pack generates an output voltage lower than a threshold voltageduring a discharge cycle. The rectifier is coupled with individual cellsin a series of sells that comprise a battery pack. The system switchespacks, but does not provide for reserve electrical energy beyond theindividual cells. Moreover, the switching does not teach or suggest anauxiliary battery, nor does it teach isolating an auxiliary battery incase of a discharge scenario.

The performance of all of the heretofore known multiple battery systemshave been unsatisfactory. Even with the existing attempts to providereadily available reserve power in a battery, there is still significantroom for improvement and a need for emergency starting power. Priorattempts required retrofitting vehicles to accommodate different sizedbattery housings, different terminal configurations, or remotecircuitry, which is often cost prohibitive. To date, no system has beendeveloped to provide the reserve power that is necessary to operate avehicle or piece of equipment in an emergency and be sufficientlyreliable in all situations.

The known multiple battery configurations do not permit disposition ofat least two batteries, each capable of delivering sufficient power tostart and operate a vehicle, within a housing defined by a conventionalvehicle battery envelope and having terminal locations designed toaccommodate conventional cable configurations. No system is availablethat provides the full current of the electrical system of the vehicleto immediately begin recharging the at least one auxiliary battery. Infact, the reliability and safety of previously attempted systems ishampered by diodes with insufficient current-carrying capacity, thesesame diodes may in fact be destroyed during recharge. Additionally, noneof the previous devices has been able to provide both a one-way chargingcircuit and, when needed, the ability to isolate the auxiliary batteryto provide emergency power. Finally, none of the prior devices canprovide a method for determining whether the cause of the main batterydischarge is in the electrical system of the vehicle and still providethe auxiliary power necessary in this situation to get assistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The myriad of advantages of having reliable, readily accessibleauxiliary electrical power in the multiple battery system of the instantinvention can easily be appreciated. It eliminates the need tojump-start the vehicle or, if the electrical system has failed, itallows the user to determine such a failure and try to reach someassistance while on the auxiliary battery. The instant invention alsoeliminates the danger of trying to jump-start an automobile, where thereis the potential for electrical sparking and explosion. Additionally, byavoiding the need for a jump-start with the instant invention, bothsafety and security are improved, as there is no need to leave yourvehicle to seek assistance or flag down strangers when the vehicle willnot start. Improved time to charge is also an important furtheradvantage of the instant invention. Re-charging a battery with knowndevices can take significant amounts of time, if it is even possible,for instance in situations where you are stuck on a lonely back road.However, the instant invention allows the user to quickly start andimmediately begin recharging both a main and an at least one auxiliarybattery. These and other objects of the invention are discussed furtherherein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vehiclebattery that solves or improves over the problems and deficiencies inthe art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmultiple battery system and a battery attachment system that isgenerally universally installable in place of a conventional battery.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedvehicle battery that contains sufficient reserve electrical power formost, if not all, situations, even in worst-case type dischargescenarios, such as failure in the electrical system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedvehicle battery that provides auxiliary power easily and virtuallyinstantaneously.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedvehicle battery which is simple in construction, but that does notrequire substantial and costly structures or modifications to existingelectrical systems, circuitry, or other components, and which iseconomical to manufacture and use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedvehicle battery that is efficient, durable, and reliable.

An object of the instant invention is to provide a circuit to isolate anauxiliary battery with sufficient reserve power to reliably start oroperate a vehicle or piece of equipment.

A further object of an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention isefficient utilization of the available space within conventional batteryhousing dimensions such that the main battery exceeds SAE recommendedminimum CCA output ratings for most original equipment manufacturer(OEM) vehicles.

A further object of an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention isto provide a switched multiple battery system having a main battery inselective electrical communication with an auxiliary battery, the systembeing disposed within a housing characterized by conventional externaldimensions and the terminals being disposed to accommodate conventionalvehicle cable configurations. The use of a conventional battery-housingenvelope facilitates relatively low cost production through theutilization of existing manufacturing equipment and processes. Moreover,it allows for immediate substitution of the present invention forexisting batteries.

In accordance with one object of an exemplary embodiment, the cells ofthe main battery are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the batteryhousing and above the auxiliary cell housing. The cells of the auxiliarybattery can be approximately one-quarter the height of the main cells.In the exemplary embodiment he auxiliary cells are disposed below themain battery. This configuration renders the subject battery systeminterchangeable with a wide range of conventional two-terminalautomotive batteries.

In accordance with another object of an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the switching mechanism is also disposed within the cover andincludes a manually operable actuator for selectively establishingcommunication between the main and reserve batteries.

According to a further object of the invention, the switched multiplebattery system is configured for disposition within a vehicle forelectrical communication with conventional vehicle battery cables. Inthe event the main battery output is too low to start the vehicle, theoperator manipulates the switch to the auxiliary position, therebybringing the auxiliary battery online, which is maintained in the fullycharged state by the charging diode circuit. Upon starting the vehicle,the operator manipulates the switch back to the normal position, therebyengaging the main and auxiliary batteries with the electrical system tobegin recharge. The main and auxiliary batteries being recharged in theconventional manner during vehicle operation.

Additionally, a still further object of the invention is that the powerin the auxiliary battery allows the automobile to be operated even whenthe main battery is discharged or incapacitated. Thus, when the mainbattery is not usable, the auxiliary battery can be utilized untilrepair or replacement can be conveniently obtained.

Another object of the present invention is that both the primary and thesecondary storage battery are of a sufficient strength so that underordinary weather conditions either will operate the starter and vehiclewithout the aid of the other. Thus, if one of the two batteries istotally discharged for some reason the, vehicle will still be operable.

The apparatus of the invention includes a multiple battery system. Themultiple battery system includes a battery housing having a commonpositive terminal and a common negative terminal each coupled to anelectrical system. The main battery has a main positive output and amain negative output and the at least one auxiliary battery has anauxiliary positive output and an auxiliary negative output. The multiplebattery system includes a main electrical circuit that couples thecommon positive terminal with at least one switching device. The atleast one switching device has at least two operating positions. In afirst operating position of the at least two operating positions, thecommon positive terminal is coupled to the main positive output of themain battery and to a one-way charging circuit that precedes and iscoupled to the auxiliary positive output. In a second operating positionthe common positive terminal is coupled through the at least oneswitching device to a point in the main circuit beyond the one-waycharging circuit that couples to the auxiliary positive output, couplingthe common positive terminal to the auxiliary positive output.

In the battery system the main battery can be electrically isolated fromthe auxiliary battery in the second position of the at least oneswitching device.

In the system the battery housing can also include an at least one mainbattery compartment containing the main battery. The main battery can beone of a six-volt, a twelve-volt, a fourteen-volt, or a twenty-four voltbattery.

In a further embodiment of the multiple battery system only the couplingof the positive output of the main battery and the positive output ofthe at least one auxiliary battery are switched by the switching device.Additionally, the second operating position of the at least twooperating positions can isolate the main battery from the electricalsystem and introduces only the at least one auxiliary battery.

The battery housing can also include an at least one auxiliary batterycompartment containing the at least one auxiliary battery. The at leastone auxiliary battery can be one of a six-volt, twelve-volt,fourteen-volt, or twenty-four volt battery. Additionally, the mainbattery can be a twelve-volt battery having six, two-volt cells and theat least one auxiliary battery can be a twelve-volt battery having sixtwo-volt cells.

The battery housing can also have a main battery compartment containingthe main battery and an at least one auxiliary battery compartmentcontaining the at least one auxiliary battery, the main batterycompartment being located atop the at least one auxiliary batterycompartment.

The battery housing may also have at least one fill tube. The at leastone fill tube can be an at least one main battery fill tube. The mainbattery can comprise an at least one cell and the at least one main filltube can be a main fill tube for each cell of the main battery. The atleast one fill tube can also be an at least one auxiliary battery filltube. The auxiliary battery can comprise at least one cell and the atleast one auxiliary fill tube can be an auxiliary fill tube for eachcell of the auxiliary battery. Moreover, the at least one fill tube canbe an at least one main fill tube and an at least one auxiliary filltube, the at least one auxiliary fill tube passing through the mainbattery compartment.

The one-way charging circuit of the multiple battery system can comprisean at least one-way charging diode. The at least one-way charging diodecan be an at least one silicon rectifier.

The at least one silicon rectifier can be between about a 25 and 95amperage rating. In a still further exemplary embodiment, the mainbattery can be a 12-volt automobile battery and the at least one siliconrectifier can have a 12-volt, 45 amp rating. Additionally, the chargingcircuit can comprise an at least one high capacity diode and an at leastone heat sink coupled to the at least one high capacity diode. The atleast one high capacity diode can have between about a 25 and 95amperage rating. Moreover, in yet another exemplary embodiment, the atleast one high capacity diode can have a 12-volt, 45 amp rating and theat least one heat sink coupled to the high capacity diode can havesufficient surface area to dissipate the heat generated by the 12-volt,45 amp rated at least one high capacity diode.

The multiple battery system can also have a controller coupled to andswitching the at least one switching device. The multiple battery systemcan also have an at least one sensor in communication with thecontroller. The at least one sensor can include an at least one mainbattery voltage sensor, an at least one main battery amperage sensor, anat least one auxiliary battery voltage sensor, an at least one switchposition sensor, and an at least one auxiliary battery amperage sensor.The controller can couple to and communicate with the position sensor todetect the position of the switching device and selectively engage theswitching device based on the input of at least one of the at least onemain battery voltage sensor, the at least one main battery amperagesensor, the at least one auxiliary battery voltage sensor, and the atleast one auxiliary amperage sensor.

The multiple battery system can also have an auxiliary battery dischargesystem. The auxiliary battery discharge system can have a controllerwith a timer. The timer can signal the controller to periodically changethe switch position so as to discharge the auxiliary battery in thesecond operating position of the at least two operating positions forshort periods and then switch back to the first operating position ofthe at least two operating positions.

The discharge system can also be a written instruction to manuallyswitch the battery system to the second operating position for a briefperiod of time and then to manually switch the switching device to thefirst operating position.

The discharge system can also have the controller switch the switchingdevice to couple the common positive terminal to the auxiliary batterypositive output if an input signal from an at least one sensor indicatesthat the main battery voltage or amperage is below a trigger point.

The apparatus of the instant invention also includes a multiple batterysystem comprising a battery housing having a common positive terminaland a common negative terminal coupled to an electrical system; a mainbattery having a main positive output and a main negative output; anauxiliary battery having an auxiliary positive output and an auxiliarynegative output; a switching device with at least two operatingpositions, the at least two operating positions selectively engagingsaid main battery and said auxiliary battery. The first operatingposition of said at least two operating positions can have the commonpositive terminal coupled to the main positive output and to theauxiliary positive output through a one-way charging circuit between andpreceding the auxiliary battery. The second operating position of saidat least two operating positions can couple the common positive terminalto the auxiliary positive such that the common positive terminal iscoupled at a point beyond the one-way charging circuit to the auxiliarybattery positive.

The second operating position of the multiple battery system can put theauxiliary battery alone in series with the electrical system andprevents electrical energy in the auxiliary battery from flowing to themain battery. The one-way charging circuit can electrically isolate themain battery in the second operating position. In the first operatingposition, the one-way charging circuit can permit electrical energy fromthe electrical system to flow into both the main and auxiliarybatteries, but prevent electrical energy from flowing out of theauxiliary battery. Further, in one exemplary embodiment of the instantinvention only the positive outputs of the main battery and the at leastone auxiliary battery are switched by the switching device.Additionally, when in the second operating position of the at least twooperating positions, the system can fully disconnect the main batteryfrom the electrical system and introduce only the at least one auxiliarybattery.

The main battery can be one of a six-volt, twelve-volt, fourteen-volt,or twenty-four volt battery. The at least one auxiliary battery can beone of a six-volt, twelve-volt, fourteen-volt or twenty-four voltbattery.

The battery housing can comprise a main battery compartment containingthe main battery and an at least one auxiliary battery compartmentcontaining the at least one auxiliary battery, the main batterycompartment being located atop the at least one auxiliary batterycompartment. The battery housing can also include at least one filltube.

The one-way charging circuit can comprise an at least one-way chargingdiode. The at least one-way charging diode can comprise an at least onesilicon rectifier. The at least one silicon rectifier can be betweenabout a 25 and 95 amperage rating. The main battery can also be a12-volt automobile battery and the at least one silicon rectifier has a12-volt, 45 amp rating. The charging circuit can further comprise an atleast one high capacity diode and an at least one heat sink coupled tothe at least one high capacity diode. The at least one high capacitydiode has between about 25 and 95 amperage rating. The at least one highcapacity diode can also have a 12-volt, 45 amp rating and the at leastone heat sink coupled to the high capacity diode that can have asufficient surface area to dissipate the heat generated by the at leastone diode.

The system can also have a controller coupled to and switching theswitching device. An at least one sensor in communication with thecontroller can be provided. The at least one sensor in communicationwith the controller can include an at least one switch position sensorto detect the position of the switching device and the controller canthen actuate the switching device based on input from the an at leastone switching device sensor and at least one of a main battery voltagesensor, a main battery amperage, an auxiliary battery voltage sensor,and an auxiliary amperage sensor.

The system of the instant invention can also comprise an auxiliarybattery discharge system. The discharge system can comprise a controllerwith a timer, where the timer signals the controller to periodicallychange the switch position so as to discharge the auxiliary battery inthe second operating position of the at least two operating positionsfor short periods and then switches back to the first operating positionof the at least two operating positions.

The discharge system can also be a written instruction to manuallyswitch the battery system to the second operating position for a briefperiod of time and then to manually switch the switching device to thefirst operating position.

The controller can also switches the switching device to couple thecommon positive terminal to the auxiliary battery positive output if aninput signal from an at least one sensor indicates that the main batteryvoltage is below a trigger point.

The system can also be provided with an auxiliary battery cyclicdischarge system that can include a timer coupled to the switchingdevice, wherein the timer periodically actuates the switching device tothe second operating mode for a short period of time and, then, actuatesthe switching device back to the first operating mode after the shortperiod of time.

The apparatus of the invention also includes an auxiliary batteryattachment system having a main battery with an at least one mainpositive output and an at least one main negative output and a circuitryhousing having an at least one positive common terminal, an at least onenegative common terminal, an at least one positive coupling and an atleast one negative coupling, the at least one positive and negativecouplings electrically coupling the at least one positive and at leastone negative main battery outputs to the at least one positive and atleast one negative common terminal which are in turn coupled to anelectrical system. The system also includes an at least one auxiliarybattery having an auxiliary positive output and an auxiliary negativeoutput, each output being electrically coupled to the at least onepositive common terminal and at least one negative common terminal,respectively, and a main electrical circuit comprising a coupling of thecommon positive terminal with an at least one switching device. In themain circuit the at least one switching device having at least twooperating positions: a first operating position of the at least twooperating positions coupling the common positive terminal through the atleast one positive coupling to the main positive output of the mainbattery and to a one-way charging circuit that precedes and is coupledto the auxiliary positive output and a second operating position whereinthe common positive terminal is coupled through the at least oneswitching device to a point in the main circuit beyond the one-waycharging circuit that couples to the auxiliary positive output.

The circuitry housing can be mounted atop the main battery or thecircuitry housing can be mounted on a side of the main battery. Also,while in the first operating position, the one-way charging circuitpermits electrical energy from the electrical system to flow into boththe main and auxiliary batteries, but prevents electrical energy fromflowing out of the auxiliary battery. While in the second operatingposition of the at least two operating positions the system fullydisconnects the main battery from the electrical system and introducesonly the at least one auxiliary battery.

The at least one positive and negative couplings can be within thecircuitry housing. The at least one auxiliary battery is one of asix-volt, twelve-volt, fourteen-volt, or twenty-four volt battery. Thecircuitry housing can contain the at least one auxiliary battery.

The one-way charging circuit of the attachment system can comprise an atleast one-way charging diode as well. The at least one-way chargingdiode can be for instance an at least one silicon rectifier. The atleast one silicon rectifier can be between about a 25 and 95 amperagerating. The main battery can also be a 12-volt automobile battery andthe at least one silicon rectifier can have a 12-volt, 45 amp rating.

The multiple battery system may also provide a charging circuit havingan at least one high capacity diode and an at least one heat sinkcoupled to the at least one high capacity diode. The at least one highcapacity diode can have between about 25 and 95 amperage rating. The atleast one high capacity diode can also have a 12-volt, 45 amp rating andthe at least one heat sink coupled to the high capacity diode having asufficient surface area to dissipate the heat generated by the 12-volt,45 amp rated at least one diode.

The multiple battery system can also comprise a controller coupled toand switching the switching device. An at least one sensor can also bein communication with the controller. The at least one sensor incommunication with the controller can include at least one switchposition sensor to detect the position of the at least one switchingdevice and at least one of a main battery voltage sensor, a main batteryamperage sensor, an auxiliary battery voltage sensor, and an auxiliaryamperage sensor, the switch device being actuated by the controllerbased on input from one of the at least one sensor.

The auxiliary battery attachment system can also have an auxiliarybattery discharge system. Again, the auxiliary battery discharge systemcan have a controller with a timer. The timer can signal the controllerto periodically change the switch position so as to discharge theauxiliary battery in the second operating position of the at least twooperating positions for short periods and then switch back to the firstoperating position of the at least two operating positions. Thedischarge system can also comprise a written instruction to manuallyswitch the battery system to the second operating position for a briefperiod of time and then to manually switch the switching device to thefirst operating position.

The controller can also switch the switching device to couple the commonpositive terminal to the auxiliary battery positive output if an inputsignal from an at least one sensor indicates that the main batteryvoltage is below a trigger point.

The method of the invention includes a method of detecting a dischargecondition fault in an electrical system, which can comprise the methodsteps of sensing an initial discharge condition within an electricalsystem of a vehicle or a piece of machinery, switching a battery havinga main and auxiliary battery and a switching device with at least twooperating positions, a main operating position wherein the main batteryis coupled to an electrical system and the at least one auxiliarybattery is also coupled through a one way charging diode preceding theauxiliary battery, and an auxiliary operating position in which theauxiliary battery is coupled in series with the electrical system of thevehicle or the piece of machinery and the main battery is electricallyisolated. Then utilizing the auxiliary battery in the auxiliaryoperational position to start the vehicle or piece of machinery andreturning the switching device to the normal operating position andengaging the main battery in the normal operating position anddetermining whether the vehicle or machinery is operational in thenormal operating position, failure indicating a general operating faultin the electrical system. The method can also include the step ofreturning the switching device to the auxiliary position and engagingthe auxiliary battery to supply the needed energy to operate the vehicleor machinery and seek repair of the electrical fault.

The above objects and advantages of the invention are illustrative, andnot exhaustive, of those that can be achieved by the invention.Reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of thedescription and in which there is shown by way of illustration exemplaryembodiments of the invention. Thus, these and other objects andadvantages of the invention will be apparent from the description, bothas embodied herein and as modified in view of any variations that willbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

The invention also includes a system the system being a multiple batterysystem having a main battery with a main positive output and a mainnegative output and an at least one auxiliary battery having an at leastone auxiliary positive output and an at least one auxiliary negativeoutput. A main electrical circuit is also provided coupling a commonpositive terminal with an at least one switching device, the at leastone switching device having at least two operating positions toselectively couple the main and at least one auxiliary battery to thecommon positive terminal. In a first operating position of the at leasttwo operating positions electrical charge is provided to both the mainbattery and the at least one auxiliary battery. A controller is coupledto the main electrical circuit and switches the at least one switchingdevice based on input from an at least one sensor.

The system can further comprise a first operating position of the atleast two operating positions that couples the common positive terminalto the main positive output of the main battery and the common positiveterminal to a one-way charging circuit that precedes and is coupled tothe at least one auxiliary positive output on the at least one auxiliarybattery. The multiple battery system may further comprise a secondoperating position wherein the common positive terminal is coupledthrough the at least one switching device to a point in the mainelectrical circuit, beyond the one-way charging circuit, that couples tothe auxiliary positive output. The main battery can be electricallyisolated from the at least one auxiliary battery in the second operatingposition of the at least two operating positions of the at least oneswitching device.

Further, the system can, but is not limited to, providing only for thecoupling of the positive output of the main battery and the positiveoutput of the at least one auxiliary battery are switched by theswitching device. The second operating position of the at least twooperating positions can, but again is not limited to, electricallyisolating the main battery from the system and introducing only the atleast one auxiliary battery.

The controller of the multiple battery system can further include an atleast one indicator element. The at least one indicator element can forexample be, but is not limited to, an at least one klaxon, horn, light,plurality of lights, LCD panel, simulated human voice, human voice,light emitting diode, and a plurality of light emitting diodes. The atleast one indicator element in some exemplary embodiments is a pluralityof indicator elements having at least one of a red, orange, green, oramber color.

The multiple battery system can further comprise a battery housing witha main battery compartment containing the main battery and an at leastone auxiliary battery compartment containing the at least one auxiliarybattery. The main battery compartment can be located atop the at leastone auxiliary battery compartment in some embodiments. The main batterycompartment can also be located aside the at least one auxiliary batterycompartment in other embodiments.

The one-way charging circuit of the instant invention can for instancebe, but is not limited to, an at least one-way charging diode. In someembodiments, the at least one-way charging diode may further comprise anat least one silicon rectifier. In other embodiments, the at leastone-way charging diode can be for instance, but is not limited to, an atleast one Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR). The at least one SiliconControlled Rectifier (SCR) can for instance be, but is not limited to,being coupled to the controller and being able to disable the couplingwith the at least one auxiliary battery if an over charge condition isdetected in the auxiliary battery.

In some embodiments of the system, the at least one auxiliary batterymay comprise a single auxiliary battery. In other embodiments, the atleast one battery comprises a plurality of auxiliary batteries.

The at least one sensor can, in some embodiments, further comprise an atleast one of: an at least one main battery voltage sensor, an at leastone main battery amperage sensor, an at least one auxiliary batteryvoltage sensor, an auxiliary battery amperage sensor, an at least oneswitch position sensor. The at lease one sensor can be for example, butis not limited to, an at least one VI sensor. Similarly, the controllercan, in some exemplary embodiments, further comprise at least one of: anat least one microprocessor, an at least one signal processor, an atleast one set of lookup tables, an at least one memory device, an atleast one security protocol/encryption element and an at least oneindicator element.

In some exemplary embodiments, the controller is a wireless controllersystem. The wireless controller system can include for instance, but isnot limited to including, a wireless controller, a wireless transceiver,and an input device. The wireless input device can also include an atleast one indicator element. In other exemplary embodiments, thecontroller can be a network interfaceable controller, where the networkinterfaceable controller has a network interface and a transceiver. Thenetwork interfaceable controller can be in communication with a NetworkOperations Center (NOC) via a network. The network interfaceablecontroller can couple to and communicates with the at least oneswitching device to detect the position of the at least one switchingdevice and selectively engage the at least one switching device based onthe input of at least one of the at least one main battery voltagesensor, the at least one main battery amperage sensor, the at least oneauxiliary battery voltage sensor, and the at least one auxiliaryamperage sensor.

The controller can include a trigger that signals the controller toperiodically change the switch position of the at least one switchingdevice so as to discharge the at least one auxiliary battery in thesecond operating position of the at least two operating positions forshort periods and then switch back to the first operating position ofthe at least two operating positions. The multiple battery systemwherein the multiple batteries are part of an at least one of asix-volt, a twelve-volt, a fourteen-volt, and a twenty-four volt batteryelectrical system.

The invention also includes a network controlled multiple batterysystem. The system includes a network in communication with a networkinterfaceable controller and an at least one sensor sensing thecondition of an at least one main battery. An at least one controlledswitching device is coupled to the at least one network interfaceablecontroller and responds to an at least one signal from the network tothe network interfaceable controller switching from the main battery toan at least one auxiliary battery.

The main battery can include, but is not limited to, a main positiveoutput and a main negative output and the at least one auxiliary batterycan include, but is not limited to, an at least one auxiliary positiveoutput and an at least one auxiliary negative output. The at least onecontrolled switching device can, but is not limited to, switchingbetween an at least two operating positions, each position selectivelycoupling a common terminal with at least one of the main and the atleast one auxiliary battery.

In exemplary embodiments of the system, a first operating position ofthe at least two operating positions can provide charge to the mainbattery and provide charge to the at least one auxiliary battery througha one-way charging circuit. A second operating position of the at leasttwo operating positions can couple the at least one auxiliary output ofthe at least one auxiliary battery to the common output.

The at least one-way charging circuit can include an at least oneone-way charging diode. The at least one-way charging diode further canfor instance be, but is not limited too, an at least one siliconrectifier. The at least one-way charging diode can also be for instance,but is not limited to, an at least one Silicon Controlled Rectifier(SCR). The at least one Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) can becoupled to the controller and can also shut off if an over chargecondition is detected in the auxiliary battery.

The network can also include an at least one controlled switching devicehas at least two operating positions, a first operating position of theat least two operating positions coupling a common positive terminal toa main positive output of the main battery and to a one-way chargingcircuit that precedes and is coupled to an at least one auxiliarypositive output of the at least one auxiliary battery and a secondoperating position wherein the common positive terminal is coupled tothe at least one auxiliary positive output of the at least one auxiliarybatter a point in the system beyond the one-way charging circuit,effectively isolating the main battery directly connecting the at leastone auxiliary battery.

The network controlled multiple battery system can also include an atleast one indicator element. The at least one indicator element can havean at least one light emitting diode of an at least one color. The atleast one indicator element can also be a plurality of indicatorelements having at least one of a red, orange, green, and amber color.The at least one indicator can also be, but is not limited to, an atleast one of a klaxon, a horn, a light, a plurality of lights, an LCDpanel, a simulated human voice, a human voice, a light emitting diode,and a plurality of light emitting diodes.

The at least one network interfaceable controller of the networkcontrolled multiple battery system can for instance include, but is notlimited to, an at least one microprocessor, an at least one signaltransmitter, an at least one signal receiver, a securityprotocol/encryption element, an indicator element, an input/output bus.The at least one sensor can include an at least one VI sensor. Thenetwork controlled multiple battery system can be, but is not limited tobeing, a part of an at least one of a six-volt, a twelve-volt, afourteen-volt, and a twenty-four volt battery electrical system.

The invention also includes a further multiple battery system having abattery housing with a common positive terminal and a common negativeterminal coupled to an electrical system. A main battery having a mainpositive output and a main negative output and an at least one auxiliarybattery having an auxiliary positive output and an auxiliary negativeoutput are also provided. The system includes an at least one switchingdevice with at least two operating positions, the at least two operatingpositions selectively engaging said main battery and said auxiliarybattery and having a first operating position of said at least twooperating positions, wherein the common positive terminal is coupled tothe main positive output and is further coupled to the at least oneauxiliary battery output through a one-way charging circuit between andpreceding the at least one auxiliary battery and a second operatingposition of said at least two operating positions which couples thecommon positive terminal to the auxiliary positive such that the commonpositive terminal is coupled at a point beyond the one-way chargingcircuit to the auxiliary battery positive output. The system alsoincludes a controller coupled to and switching the at least oneswitching device.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second operating position can couplethe at least one auxiliary battery with the electrical system andprevent electrical energy in the at least one auxiliary battery fromflowing to the main battery. The one-way charging circuit canelectrically isolates the main battery in the second operating position.The at least one auxiliary battery can be a single auxiliary battery.The at least one auxiliary battery can be a plurality of auxiliarybatteries.

The one-way charging circuit can for instance be, but is not limited to,an at least one-way charging diode. The at least one-way charging diodecan be, but is not limited to, an at least one silicon rectifier. The atleast one-way charging diode can also be, but is not limited to, an atleast one Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR).

The multiple battery system can also include an at least one sensor incommunication with the controller. The controller can actuate theswitching device based on input from the at least one sensor and the atleast one sensor includes at least one of an at least one main batteryvoltage sensor, main battery amperage, auxiliary battery voltage sensor,and auxiliary amperage sensor. The multiple battery system can alsoinclude an at least one indicator element.

The method of the instant invention includes a method of controlling amultiple battery system comprising the method steps of polling an atleast one sensor; detecting an abnormal reading from said at least onesensor; communicating the results of said detection step to an operatoror a Network Operations Center; switching, upon a command from theoperator, the Network Operations Center, or a controller, from a mainbattery to an at least one auxiliary battery; and confirming theoperation of the system.

The method of controlling a multiple battery system can also include,after the communicating step, the method step of initiating energyconservation steps. The method can also include the method step ofmonitoring electrical generation and transmission into the system. Themethod can also include, after the confirming step, the method step ofswitching back to normal operating mode or alerting the operator or NOCto an electrical fault condition.

The invention also includes a further multiple battery managementsystem. The system having a common positive and common negative terminalwith an at least one main battery having a main positive output and amain negative output and an at least one auxiliary battery having anauxiliary positive output and an auxiliary negative output. The systemalso having a battery management system comprising an at least onecontroller, an at least one switching device, an at least one rechargingselection mechanism, and an at least one sensor, wherein the batterymanagement system selectively couples the common positive terminal withan at least one of the at least one main positive battery output or theat least one auxiliary battery positive output and the at least onerecharging selection mechanism selectively couples to at least one ofthe at least one main or at least one auxiliary battery by coupling,through the at least one one-way charging circuit that proceeds therecharging selection mechanism, to the main common positive pole withthe respective at least on battery.

The recharging selection mechanism can be, but is not limited to, one ofan at least one relay or an at least one MOSFET or similar solid stateelectrical component. The at least one switching device can have an atleast two operating positions and a first operating position of the atleast two operating positions can couple the common positive terminal tothe main positive output of the at least one main battery. The second ofthe two operating positions can couple the common positive terminalthrough the at least one switching device to the auxiliary positiveoutput of the at least one auxiliary battery.

The at least one recharging selection mechanism can have at least twosettings, a first setting, for instance, wherein recharging is providedthrough the one-way charging circuit to the auxiliary battery and asecond setting wherein charge is provided through the one-way chargingcircuit to the main positive output of the main battery. Additionally,the battery management system can sense the condition of the at leastone main and at least one auxiliary batteries and selectively engagesthe at least one switching device in said first position and said atleast one recharge selection mechanism in said first position, couplingthe main output of the at least one main battery to the common positiveoutput and recharging the at least one auxiliary battery through the atleast one one-way charging circuit.

Similarly, the battery management system can sense the condition of theat least one main and at least one auxiliary batteries and selectivelyengage the at least one switching device in said first position and saidat least one recharge selection mechanism in said second position,coupling the main output of the at least one main battery to the commonpositive output and recharging the at least one main battery through theat least one one-way charging circuit, whereby the at least oneauxiliary battery is electrically isolated.

Additionally, the battery management system can also sense the conditionof the at least one main and at least one auxiliary batteries andselectively engage the at least one switching device in said secondposition and said at least one recharge selection mechanism in a firstposition, coupling the auxiliary positive output of the at least oneauxiliary battery to the common positive output and recharging the atleast one auxiliary battery through the at least one one-way chargingcircuit, whereby the at least one main battery is electrically isolated.

Also, the battery management system can sense the condition of the atleast one main and at least one auxiliary batteries and selectivelyengage the at least one switching device in said second position andsaid at least one recharge selection mechanism in a second position,coupling the auxiliary positive output of the at least one auxiliarybattery to the common positive output and recharging the at least onemain battery through the at least one one-way charging circuit.

The at least one one-way charging circuit can comprise for instance, butis not limited to, an at least one one-way charging diode. The at leastone one-way charging diode further can be for instance, but is notlimited to, an at least one silicon rectifier. Further, the at least oneone-way charging diode can be an at least one silicon controlledrectifier (SCR). The at least one controller can couple to andcommunicate with a position sensor to detect the position of theswitching device and selectively engages the switching device based onthe input of at least one of the at least one main battery voltagesensor, the at least one main battery amperage sensor, the at least oneauxiliary battery voltage sensor, and the at least one amperage sensor.The at least one auxiliary battery comprises a plurality of auxiliarybatteries or a single auxiliary battery.

The battery management system can also further comprise for instance,but not limited to, an at least one of: an at least one microprocessor,an at least one signal processor, an at least one set of lookup tables,an at least one memory device, an at least one securityprotocol/encryption element and an at least one indicator element. Theat least one indicator element can be for instance, but certainly is notlimited to, an at least one of a klaxon, a horn, a light, a plurality oflights, an LCD panel, a simulated human voice, a human voice, a lightemitting diode, a plurality of light emitting diodes. Additionally, theat least one indicator element can be a plurality of indicator elementshaving at least one of a red, orange, green, or amber color.

The invention also includes a vehicle multiple battery system. Thesystem can comprise an accessory battery having a accessory positiveoutput and a accessory negative output, a starter battery having astarter positive output and a starter negative output, and a controllercoupled to an at least one sensor, the controller sensing the conditionof the accessory and starter batteries and switching an at least oneswitching device to one of the at least two switching positions. Thesystem can further comprise a switching device with at least twooperating positions, the at least two operating positions selectivelyengaging said accessory battery and said starter battery and comprisinga first operating position of said at least two operating positionswherein the common positive terminal is coupled to the accessorypositive output and is further coupled to the at least one starterbattery positive output through a one-way charging circuit between andpreceding the at least one starter battery and a second operatingposition of said at least two operating positions which couples thecommon positive terminal to the starter positive such that the commonpositive terminal is coupled at a point beyond the one-way chargingcircuit to the starter battery positive.

Upon sensing a startup sequence, the controller can place the at leastone switching device in the second operating position which puts thestarter battery alone in series with the electrical system and preventselectrical energy in the starter battery from flowing to the accessorybattery. The one-way charging circuit can electrically isolate theaccessory battery in the second operating position. Similarly, in thefirst operating position, the one-way charging circuit can permitelectrical energy from the electrical system to flow into both theaccessory and starter batteries, but prevents electrical energy fromflowing out of the starter battery. In the second operating position,the accessory battery is electrically isolated from the starter battery.

The vehicle multiple battery system may also provide, though it iscertainly not limited to, having the positive outputs of the accessorybattery and the at least one starter battery switched by the switchingdevice. The second operating position of the at least two operatingpositions can fully disconnect the accessory battery from the electricalsystem and introduce only the at least one starter battery.

The accessory battery can be for example, but is not limited to, a 60amp hour battery. The at least one starter battery can be for example,but is not limited to, a 25 amp hour battery. The one-way chargingcircuit can be for example, but is not limited to, an at least one-waycharging diode. The at least one-way charging diode further can be forexample, but is not limited to, an at least one silicon rectifier. Theat least one silicon rectifier can be for example, but is not limitedto, a silicon controlled rectifier.

The vehicle multiple battery system can also include a controllercoupled to and switching the switching device and coupled to the one waycharging circuit. An at least one sensor in can be in communication withthe controller. The at least one sensor in communication with thecontroller can include an at least one switch position sensor to detectthe position of the switching device and wherein the controller actuatesthe switching device based on input from the at least one switchingdevice sensor and at least one of a battery voltage sensor, a currentsensor, and a VI sensor. The at least one Silicon Controlled Rectifier(SCR) can also be, for example, coupled to the controller and candisable the coupling of the SCR with the at least one auxiliary batteryif a thermal runaway condition is detected in the auxiliary battery bythe at least one sensor.

The invention also includes a still further exemplary embodiment of avehicle multiple battery management system. This exemplary embodimentcan have a common positive and common negative terminal, an at least oneaccessory battery having an accessory positive output and a accessorynegative output, at least one starter battery having a starter positiveoutput and an starter negative output; and a battery management system.The battery management system can have, but is not limited to, an atleast one controller, an at least one switching device, an at least onerecharging selection mechanism, and an at least one sensor, wherein thebattery management system selectively couples a common positive terminalwith at least one of the accessory or starter battery positive outputsand the battery management system also selectively couples the at leastone recharging selection mechanism to the accessory or the starterbattery by coupling, through the at least one one-way charging circuitthat proceeds the recharging selection mechanism, the respective batteryoutput to the common output.

The at least on recharging selection mechanism can be for example, butis not limited to, one of an at least one relay or an at least oneMOSFET or similar solid state electrical component. The at least oneswitching device can have for example, but is not limited to, at leasttwo operating positions and a first operating position of the at leasttwo operating positions can couple the common positive terminal to theaccessory positive output of the at least one accessory battery. Thesecond of the two operating positions can couple the common positiveterminal through the at least one switching device to the starterpositive output of the at least one starter battery.

The at least one recharging selection mechanism can have for example,but is not limited to, an at least two settings, a first setting whereinrecharging can be provided through the one-way charging circuit to thestarter battery and a second setting wherein charge can be providedthrough the one-way charging circuit to the accessory positive output ofthe accessory battery.

The battery management system can sense the condition of the at leastone accessory and at least one starter batteries and can selectivelyengage the at least one switching device in said first position and saidat least one recharge selection mechanism in said first position,coupling the accessory output of the at least one accessory battery tothe common positive output and recharging the at least one starterbattery through the at least one one-way charging circuit.

The battery management system can also sense the condition of the atleast one accessory and at least one starter batteries and canselectively engage the at least one switching device in said firstposition and said can engage the at least one recharge selectionmechanism in said second position, coupling the accessory output of theat least one accessory battery to the common positive output andrecharging the at least one accessory battery through the at least oneone-way charging circuit, whereby the at least one starter battery iselectrically isolated.

The vehicle multiple battery management system of claim 34, wherein thebattery management system senses the condition of the at least oneaccessory and at least one starter batteries and selectively engages theat least one switching device in said second position and said at leastone recharge selection mechanism in a first position, coupling thestarter positive output of the at least one starter battery to thecommon positive output and recharging the at least one starter batterythrough the at least one one-way charging circuit, whereby the at leastone accessory battery is electrically isolated.

The battery management system can sense the condition of the at leastone accessory and at least one starter batteries and can selectivelyengage the at least one switching device in said second position andsaid at least one recharge selection mechanism in a second position,coupling the starter positive output of the at least one starter batteryto the common positive output and recharging the at least one accessorybattery through the at least one one-way charging circuit.

The at least one one-way charging circuit can be for example, but is notlimited to, an at least one one-way charging diode. The at least oneone-way charging diode can be for example, but is not limited to, an atleast one silicon rectifier. The at least one one-way charging diode canbe for example, but is not limited to, an at least one siliconcontrolled rectifier (SCR). The controller can couple to and communicatewith a switch position sensor to detect the position of the switchingdevice and selectively engages the switching device based on the inputof at least one of the at least one accessory battery voltage sensor,the at least one accessory battery amperage sensor, the at least onestarter battery voltage sensor, and the at least one amperage sensor.

The controller may include an at least one indicator element. The atleast one indicator element can be for example, but is not limited to,an at least one of a klaxon, a horn, a light, a plurality of lights, anLCD panel, a simulated human voice, a human voice, a light emittingdiode, a plurality of light emitting diodes. The at least one indicatorelement can also be for example, but is not limited to, a plurality ofindicator elements having at least one of a red, orange, green, or ambercolor.

The method of the instant invention can also include the additionalmethod steps of detecting a cycling trigger or flag; switching, upondetection of a trigger or flag, to the at least one auxiliary battery;monitoring the at least one auxiliary battery for discharge, adequaterecharge and normal operation; running the electrical system on theauxiliary battery for period of time; checking the at least oneauxiliary battery for discharge through the at least one sensor; andreturning the at least one switch back to engage the main battery.

The method of the instant invention also includes a method of batterymanagement, including the steps of detecting the condition of an atleast one main battery and an at least one auxiliary battery;selectively switching a multiple battery system having a main and anauxiliary battery between an at least two positions to selectivelyengage at least one of the main or auxiliary batteries based on chargebalancing parameters set within a controller; selectively recharging abattery system through selectively engaging a first of an at least twopositions in a recharging mechanism; and maintaining a charge level ineach battery through the selective switching and selective recharge ofthe batteries in the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the instantinvention.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show a top view and a cross-sectional view,respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show a top view and a circuit diagram, respectively,of an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention in a normaloperational mode.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show a top view and a circuit diagram, respectively,of an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention in an auxiliaryoperational mode.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show a top view and a circuit diagram, respectively,of an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention in the storageoperational mode.

FIGS. 5C-5E show electrical schematics of a still further exemplaryembodiment of the instant invention.

FIGS. 5F-5I show electrical schematics of a still further exemplaryembodiment of the instant invention having an enhanced batterymanagement system.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show isometric views of exemplary embodiments of theinstant invention as an auxiliary battery attachment system for existingmain batteries.

FIG. 8A shows a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of theinstant invention incorporating an automated controller.

FIG. 8B shows a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of theinstant invention incorporating an automatic controller and indicatorelement.

FIG. 8C shows an electrical schematic of a still further embodiment ofthe instant invention.

FIG. 9 shows a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the instantinvention incorporating an auxiliary discharge cycling system.

FIG. 10A shows a component diagram of a still further exemplaryembodiment of the instant invention incorporating a wireless interfaceand wireless control input.

FIG. 10B shows a component diagram of a yet another exemplary embodimentof the instant invention incorporating a network interfaced controllerand network.

FIG. 11A shows a flow chart of the operational steps for an exemplaryembodiment of the controller in the instant invention.

FIG. 11B shows a flow chart of the operational steps for a furtherexemplary embodiment of the controller in the instant inventionincluding auxiliary battery maintenance steps.

FIGS. 12A-12D show electrical schematics of a still further exemplaryembodiment of the instant invention having an enhanced batterymanagement system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings depicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale andalike and similar elements are designated by the same and similarreference numerals throughout the several figures.

The instant invention is directed to a multiple battery system, having amain and an at least one auxiliary battery combination. In anon-limiting exemplary embodiment the instant invention is dimensionedto be a standard twelve-volt battery for auto, truck, marine andmachinery applications meeting the original equipment manufacturersspecifications. For instance, the non-limiting exemplary embodiment, asshown in FIGS. 1, 2 a and 2 b, comprises two twelve two-volt batteriesin a single battery housing of conventional size and proportion. Themain battery 100 and the standby, auxiliary, or backup battery 200 arecontained in the housing 10, as further described herein below.Additional embodiments could include modifications to provide six-volt,twenty-four volt, thirty-six volt, forty-eight volt, seventy-two voltand the like main and/or auxiliary batteries. Additional configurationsand variations in the number of batteries, voltage of the batteries,numbers of cells, relative power of each cell, and number ofcompartments containing the cells can be provided to suit a particularapplication and would not depart from the aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the instantinvention. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, as well as inFIGS. 2-5, the upper portion of the battery housing 10 contains the mainbattery 100 while the lower portion of the battery housing 10 comprisesthe auxiliary battery 200. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the mainbattery 100 accounts for about three-quarters and the auxiliary battery200 accounts for about one-quarter of the battery housing 10. The mainbattery 100 terminates in a main positive output 110 and main negativeoutput 120. The auxiliary battery terminates in a second or auxiliarypositive output 210 and a second or auxiliary negative output 220. Thus,the exemplary embodiment shown provides two positive outputs and twonegative outputs internal to the battery housing for each battery.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, at least one common positive postor terminal, in this case a set of common positive posts or terminals310, and at least one common negative posts or terminals, here a set ofcommon negative posts or terminals 320, are electrically coupled to thefirst 110, 20 and second set 120, 220 of outputs. The positive outputs110, 210 are selectively coupled through switching device 300, asfurther described herein below. Additional exemplary embodiments canprovide single positive common terminals and single negative commonterminals. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the coupling of theterminals 310, 320 to the respective outputs is internal to the batteryhousing 10. This coupling can be done in any suitable manner, forinstance a bus coupling or bus bar or through a wiring connection orsimilar electrical coupling means. Additional batteries may be added andthe coupling of the batteries may be made external or partially externalto the battery housing without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

As depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the commonnegative and positive terminals or posts 310, 320 protrude from the topand side of the external battery housing so as to be external to thebattery housing 10 and easily coupled to electrical connectors extendingfrom the electrical system (not shown). This configuration accommodatesthe electrical connectors for common vehicle and equipment electricalsystems. Variation in the placement, the number and the type of possibleposts or connections can be provided without departing from theinventive aspects of the instant invention. One non-limiting example ofsuch a variation would be an exemplary embodiment providing internalconnections to the common terminals for systems and vehicles in harshenvironments.

The main positive output 110 and auxiliary positive output 210 arecoupled to a switching device 300, which in turn selectivelyelectrically couples in various operating positions the batteries 100,200 and their respective positive outputs 110, 210 to the commonpositive terminal 310 based on various operating conditions and switchpositions. Each operating position corresponds to different circuitconfigurations for coupling the main battery positive output 110 andauxiliary battery positive output 210 to the common positive output postor terminal 310.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, switching device 300 isincluded in the housing. It selectively electrically couples the mainbattery 100 and the auxiliary battery 200 to the electrical system ofthe vehicle. Additional embodiments can vary the number of operatingpositions or location and placement of the switching device 300. Forinstance, in additional exemplary embodiments the switching device 300may be included with an attachment or separate housing containing thecircuitry and auxiliary battery 200, as discussed further in relation toFIGS. 6 and 7 herein below. Furthermore, for the sake of brevity in thisdescription, reference is made to a three-position switching device 300having first 350, second 360, and tertiary 370 switch positions. Therelative number and position of the switch positions as shown can bechanged or varied without departing from the inventive aspects of thedevice. Additionally, the switching of the switching device 300 may beautomated through a control mechanism or circuit that senses thecondition of the battery system, as further discussed in relation toFIG. 8 herein below. Moreover, a periodic discharge system for themultiple battery system of the instant invention can also be added, asfurther described in relation to FIG. 9.

In the exemplary embodiment shown with the three position-switchingdevice 300, the switching device 300 has a first or normal operatingmode or position 350. In this position the vehicle or equipment operatesoff the main battery 100 which is always receiving a charge from theelectrical system of the vehicle or equipment when it is running andcharging the auxiliary battery 200, as further described in relation toFIGS. 3A and 3B below. The switching device 300 would have a secondaryor auxiliary position or operating mode 360, wherein the auxiliarybattery 200 would be engaged as the sole source of electrical power forthe vehicle or device, as further described in relation to FIGS. 4A and4B below. The second or auxiliary switch operating mode or position 360would be used for emergency back up when needed to start and or operatethe vehicle when the main battery 100 is incapable of starting oroperating the vehicle, equipment, or machinery or when cycling theauxiliary battery 200, as discussed below. Finally, a tertiary orstorage operating mode or position 370 would be provided wherein theswitching device 300 would disconnect both the main battery positiveoutput 110 and the auxiliary battery positive output 210 from the commonpositive terminal 310 when not in use.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show a top view and a cross-sectional view,respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention. Inthe exemplary embodiment depicted, each of the batteries is comprised ofsets of cells contained within a main compartment 109 and an auxiliarycompartment 209, respectively. The main battery compartment 109 andauxiliary battery compartment 209, are located one above the other,however, the relative position of each compartment can be varied. Thefirst set of six two-volt main cells 101-106 is coupled in series toform the main battery 100. The second set of six two-volt cells 201-206is also coupled in series form the standby, auxiliary, or backup battery200. The first set of six main cells 101-106 that form main battery 100terminates at main positive output 110 and main negative output 120.Similarly, the second set of six auxiliary cells 201-206 that form theauxiliary battery 200 terminates at auxiliary positive output 210 andauxiliary negative output 220.

To maintain the electrolytic fluid levels of the main battery 100 andthe individual cells 101-106, an at least one thin channel or tube,tubes 111-116 as shown, is provided to the main battery 100 or each ofthe individual cells 101-106 of the main battery 100. Similarly, tomaintain the electrolytic fluid levels of the auxiliary battery 200 andthe individual cells 201-206, an at least one thin channel or tube,tubes 211-216 as depicted, drop between the individual main cells101-106 of the main battery 100 to act as fill tubes for theelectrolytic fluid and act as a vent. The fill tubes or channel can bevaried in both number and length to suit particular space andmanufacturing constraints, but permit the venting of gasses and themaintenance of electrolytic fluid levels. Additionally the fill tubes orchannel may be capped or uncapped, as is known in the art.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show a top view and a circuit diagram, respectively,of an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention in a normaloperational mode. FIG. 3A shows the device in a first switch position350. In this first, main, or normal switch position or mode 350,indicated in the circuit diagram of FIG. 3B at switch position S1, themain battery 100 is electrically couple to the electrical system and theauxiliary battery 200 is electrically coupled to the electrical systemthrough the one way charging circuit 400. The electrical system (notshown) is coupled to common positive post 310, which in turn is coupledto the switching device 300. The switching device 300, when in the S1position or normal operating mode 350, connects both the main positiveoutput 110 and the auxiliary positive output 210 via the one waycharging circuit 400 to the common positive post 310 and, thereby, theelectrical system (not shown). Both the main negative output 120 andauxiliary negative output 220 are coupled to the negative output post orterminal 320, which is coupled back to the electrical system (not shown)to complete the connection.

The two batteries are coupled by a one-way charging circuit 400 thatprecedes the auxiliary battery 200, as indicated in the circuit diagramof FIG. 3B. The one-way charging circuit 400 is a one-way circuitallowing for electricity to pass from the electrical system of thevehicle (not shown) to replenish the auxiliary battery 200. As theelectrical system of the vehicle (not shown) is providing the currentneeded to run all the auxiliary equipment, it is simultaneously, throughthe one-way charging circuit 400, also providing a full charging voltageto the backup or auxiliary or standby battery 200 as well as preventingany discharge from the backup or auxiliary battery 200. Effectively, theone way charging circuit 400 is a one-way electrical valve permittingelectricity to flow into the auxiliary battery 200 in the main or firstswitch position 350.

The one-way charging circuit 400 provides the full current to theauxiliary battery 200 for charging. This is a significant departure fromprior systems that disclosed variable coefficient resistors and the likein series with low capacity diodes, as these prior systems could onlyprovide a very small amount of power to the respective standby orreserve battery. Unlike the prior designs that slow the charging currentto a trickle charge, the instant invention utilizes a charging circuitthat allows for the full current flow to both the main and auxiliarybatteries simultaneously to allow for a speedy recovery of bothbatteries. This does not, however, limit the device from incorporatingcurrent regulating components to vary the amount of charge in thecircuit, through the charging circuit, or to either of the batteries.

One exemplary embodiment of the one-way charging circuit 400 is acircuit that includes an at least one one-way charging diode 410. Theone-way charging diode 410 can be, in an exemplary embodiment, but isnot limited to, an at least one silicone rectifier. The at least onesilicone rectifier as the at least one one-way charging diode 410 wouldallow for the full current provided by the electrical system of thevehicle to reach the auxiliary battery 200 for recharging, whilegenerating a minimum heat load and preventing the main battery fromdraining the auxiliary battery 200. The at least one silicone rectifiercan be of any amperage and any voltage as dictated by the amperage andvoltage of the electrical system of the application. For instance,silicon rectifiers having amperage ratings of between about twenty-fiveand ninety-five can be used for example in twelve-volt auto, lighttruck, and marine systems. A non-limiting example is an exemplaryembodiment for conventional twelve-volt automobiles that, for instance,uses a silicon rectifier having a forty-five amp rating as the one-waycharging diode 410 as a part of the one-way charging circuit 400.Similarly, a further exemplary configuration could include an at leastone Silicone Controlled Rectifier (SCR) as further described in relationto FIG. 8C.

Additional charging circuit configurations could include, but are notlimited to, an at least one high capacity one-way diode 410. This can becoupled with an at least one high capacity heat sink as the one-waycharging circuit 400. As an exemplary alternate charging circuitconfiguration the combination of an at least one high capacity diode 410would need to be coupled to a suitable heat sink or similar heatdissipation device that can handle the high amounts of heat generated bythe diode. Having a high capacity diode is critical as the higheramounts of heat might be unsafe if the diode is mounted alone or in tooclose a proximity to the volatile components of a battery. As the amountand rate of heat dissipation is greatly affected by a wide range ofparameters associated with the application, the size and placement ofthe high capacity diode and the heat sink can vary greatly. Variousdesign parameters associated with the diode environment, including butnot limited to the proximity to plastics and volatile chemicals, thesize of the at heat sink or sinks, the diode size, the location of thebattery, the environment of the battery, and other parameters can beused in determining the size and ratings of the high capacity diode andheat sink combination and placement of the combination within or withoutthe battery housing.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show a top down view and a circuit diagram,respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention in anauxiliary operational mode. An operator or a controller manipulates theswitching device 300 to the second or auxiliary position or mode 360,represented by switch position S2 in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4B.This electrically couples the common positive terminal 310, and thus theelectrical system of the vehicle, to the positive output 210 of theauxiliary battery 200. The connection isolates the auxiliary battery 200from the main battery 100, as the charging diode 400 prevents electricalcurrent from the electrical system of the vehicle (not shown) fromflowing into the main battery 100 while in this operating mode. Again,this circuit is significantly different from previous devices that dumpthe reserve battery into parallel with the discharged main battery.

These previous attempts have all disclosed applying the standby batteryin parallel to the main battery. The problem with doing this is twofold.First, if there were a short or a dry cell in that main battery, thattype of circuit would short the backup battery impairing its ability tostart the vehicle. Moreover, even if the electrical system and mainbattery were in good condition, the standby battery of the prior artwould be saddled with both the load of the starter and the load of thedischarged battery. This weakens the standby battery taking away neededelectrical power. By isolating the auxiliary battery 200 from the mainbattery 100 in the auxiliary mode 360, the invention permits the fullycharged auxiliary battery 200 to be used independently to start thevehicle or device. Once started, the operating mode can be manipulatedback into the first or main operational position 350 and the fullelectrical energy of the electrical system of the vehicle can be putinto charging both the main battery 100 and the auxiliary battery 200.Additionally, failure to continue operating in the normal operating modewould be an indicator that a short or electrical system failure hasoccurred, as further described herein below.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show a top down view and a circuit diagram of anexemplary embodiment of the instant invention in a tertiary operationalmode. An operator or controller manipulates the switching device 300 tothe tertiary, off, or storage position 370, represented by switchposition S3 in the circuit diagram of FIG. 5B. This position providesfor disconnection of both batteries for storage. The S3 positiondisconnects the main positive output 110 and the auxiliary positiveoutput 210 from the common positive terminal 310 and, thereby, theelectrical system of the vehicle or equipment. This is useful if thevehicle or equipment is being placed in storage for instance or if thebattery is being stored.

FIGS. 5C-5I show an electrical schematics for a still further exemplaryembodiment of the instant invention. In this further exemplaryembodiment, the multiple batteries serve specific purposes determined bythe operating state of a vehicle. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5C,an at least one accessory battery 100A operates to provide the vehicleand the vehicle accessories power after starting. A starter battery 200Ais isolated from the at least one accessory battery 100A by a one-waycharging circuit 400A. In the embodiment depicted, the one-way chargingcircuit 400A includes, at least in part, a Silicon Controlled Rectifier(SCR) 410A, which is coupled to a controller 700.

Power is provided to the multiple battery system by an electrical system(not shown) within the vehicle. The controller 700A is provided andcoupled to at least one switching device 300A, the one-way chargingcircuit 400A and an at least one sensor 7000. Electrical power flowsfrom the electrical system (not shown) of the vehicle through the atleast one switching device 300A, which can be controlled by thecontroller 700A or an operator to selectively engage the multiplebattery system. The at least one switching device 300A may comprisemultiple switching device or a single independent switching device asshown. Again, reference is made here to a single switching device havingthree switching positions S1A, S2A, S3A, however, greater or fewerswitch positions may be provided.

In FIG. 5C, the exemplary embodiment is shown in an accessory operatingposition. In this position, noted as positions S1A, the SCR 410A allowscharge to flow to the starter battery 200A through the one-way chargingcircuit, thus preventing discharge from this battery during operation ofthe accessory battery 100A or the accessories. The controller 700Athrough the at least one sensor 7000 can determine if a thermal runawaycondition exists in the starter battery 200A. Thermal runaway is acondition whereby a cell or a battery on charge or discharge willoverload and destroy itself through internal heat generation caused bysome abusive condition. This often occurs when a battery or cell iscontinuously charged or receives an excessive charge over a short periodof time. The SCR 410A permits the controller 700A, upon sensing thethermal runaway or other adverse condition, to effectively shut down thecharging circuit 400A by shutting off the SCR 410A and stopping therecharging of the starter battery 200A.

In FIGS. 5D and 5E the embodiment of FIG. 5C is shown in a shut downposition and in a starting position, respectively. FIG. 5D shows a shutdown position for the embodiment of FIG. 5C. When the vehicle isstopped, the multiple battery system may be placed in switch positionS3A, corresponding to a shut down position or, alternatively, switchposition S2A a starting position. In the shut down position or switchposition S3A, both batteries are fully disconnected, preventingoperation of accessories and preventing the starting of the vehicle.This provides enhanced vehicle security as well as additionalpreservation of charge by conserving the charge in both batteries. Thesystem may remain in the accessory position S1A for a predetermined timeor until the controller 700A senses that all accessories have been shutoff and then switched to switch position S3A. However, switch positionS3A may also be omitted and the battery instead be set to a startingposition or position S2A.

FIG. 5F shows the embodiment of FIG. 5C in a starting position. Thestarting position or switch position S2A is selected upon positiverecognition of a starting sequence by the controller 700A or by manualoperation by the operator. The positive recognition of a startingsequence may, for example, occur upon insertion of a key or detection ofan electronic key or microchip. The controller 700A communicates withthe at least one switching device 300A and switches the device to switchposition S2A. In the switch position S2A the at least one switchingdevice 300A, as in other embodiment disclosed herein, engages thestarter battery 200A in a manner that isolates it from the accessorybattery 100A by connecting to the electrical circuit at a point beyondthe one-way charging circuit 400A, here at a point beyond the SCR 410A.

Upon starting the vehicle, the controller senses a normal operatingcondition through an at least one sensor 7000 and switches the vehicleback to switch position S1A, where in the vehicle is run on theaccessory battery 100A. This allows the starter battery 200A to bemaintained at 100% charge for starting operations and, unlike othersystems, the state of the accessory battery 100A does not matter duringthe starting procedures. The accessory battery 100A in the instantinvention, as opposed to previous designs, is never brought intoparallel with the battery 200A and the starting battery 200A never hasto contend with the load of a diminished accessory battery 100A.Therefore the accessory battery 100A may be entirely discharged and thesystem will still function to start a vehicle.

FIGS. 5F-5I show a still further embodiment of the instant invention.Again, in the embodiment shown the multiple batteries serve specificpurposes determined by the operating state of a vehicle, but similar toFIGS. 12A-12C an enhanced charge balancing battery management system8000A is provided in this exemplary embodiment. Charge balancing is aflexible control system that monitors the condition of each battery andmanages both the discharging and recharging of the system withinparameters established in the battery management system. Thus, thebattery management system can selectively control the multiple batteriesand maintain the individual charge levels by managing which battery isengaged and which battery or batteries are being recharged. The chargebalancing battery management system 8000A includes a controller 700A,for example a microprocessor, switching device 300A and an at least onerecharge selection mechanism, herein depicted as recharge balancingrelay 2A. Alternatively, it should be noted that the recharge selectionmechanism can for example be, but is not limited to, an at least oneMOSFET device or similar solid state device providing similar electricalpath selection capabilities. As with the embodiments of Figures 5C-5E anat least one accessory battery 100A and a starting battery 200A areprovided for selectively coupling to a vehicle electrical system (notshown). With the addition of the charge balance relay 2A, the multiplebattery system can selectively control charge to either battery andthereby prevent thermal runaway conditions or overcharging of eitherbattery.

FIG. 5F shows the instant embodiment in a first operating configuration.The at least one sensor 700, in the exemplary embodiment depicted two VIsensors 7001, 7003, and a starter sensor 7005, provides input to thecharge balancing battery management system 8000A regarding the conditionof both the main and auxiliary batteries 100A, 200A and/or theelectrical system. Depending on the sensed conditions, the chargebalancing battery management system 8000A through controller 700Aswitches the at least one means 300A and the recharge balancing relay 2.The charge balancing battery management system 8000A is coupled to theat least one switching device 300A with an at least two switchpositions. In this instance, the at least one switching device 300A has,but is certainly not limited to, switching positions S1A, S2A and S3A.

Additionally coupled from to charge balancing battery management system8000A is a one-way charging circuit 400A. Following the one way chargingcircuit 400A is a charge-balancing relay 2A. The charge-balancing relay2A moves between a first relay position R1A and a second relay positionR2A. The at least one switching device 300A and the at least onerecharge balancing relay 2A are selectively coupled to the main battery100A and the auxiliary battery 200A as shown in each 5F-5I by thecontroller 700A as part of the battery management system 8000A.

In FIG. 5F, the at least one switching device 300A is in position S1Aoperating the vehicle from the accessory battery 100A. Simultaneouslythe at least one charges balancing relay 2A is in relay position R1Aproviding the charge through the one way charging circuit 400A to thestarter battery 200A. This is the operating mode of the system when thevehicle has started.

FIG. 5G shows a second operating configuration for the embodiment ofFIG. 5F. In this position, the at least one switching device 300A is inposition S1A operating the vehicle from the accessory battery 100A.Simultaneously the at least one charges balancing relay 2A is in relayposition R2A shunting power from the one way charging circuit 400A tothe accessory battery 100A. This prevents charge from reaching thestarter battery 200A. This operating mode would be selected if anovercharge condition or thermal runaway condition were detected in thestarter battery 200A. The charge balancing battery management system8000A would receive this information through an at least one sensor7000. The controller 700A would analyze the data and switch accordinglyto the operating mode. Additionally, a visual alert can be provided tothe operator of the vehicle to alert them to the overcharge conditionand the change in operating configuration.

FIG. 5H shows a third operating configuration for the embodiment of FIG.5F. In FIG. 5H the controller 700A puts the at least one switchingdevice 300A in position S2A engaging the starter battery 200A to startthe vehicle. The controller 700A also sets the at least one rechargebalancing relay 2A in relay position R2A coupling the at least onecharging circuit 400A to the accessory battery 100A, which providesunidirectional electrical flow to the accessory battery 100A.Simultaneously, the system is being run on the starter battery 200A.This operational configuration occurs when a start up condition issensed by the charge balancing battery management system 8000A. Uponsensing a successful start, the charge balancing battery managementsystem 8000A can switch back to the operating configuration shown inFIG. 5F, thus engaging the accessory battery 100A and continuing toallow it to recharge.

FIG. 5I shows a fourth operating configuration for the embodiment ofFIG. 5F. In this still further operating configuration, the at least oneswitching device 300A is again set to switch position S2A. The at leastone recharge balancing relay 2A is in relay position R1A coupling the atleast one charging circuit 400A directly to the starter battery 100A,effectively isolating the accessory battery 100A. In this configurationthe vehicle is running on the starter battery 200A without charging theaccessory battery 100A. This configuration is an emergencyconfiguration, used if the accessory battery 100A is damaged and willnot hold charge. In this case the starter battery 200A is be engaged andused to run the vehicle in this operational configuration until servicecan be sought for the accessory battery 100A. This configuration may beaccompanied by an alert for the driver, for instance an audible orvisual alarm 7050, similar to the alerts described herein in relation toFIGS. 11A and 11B. Additionally, the charge balancing battery managementsystem 8000A may restrict the type and number of accessories run in thevehicle in this configuration.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show isometric views of alternate exemplary embodiments ofthe instant invention employed as an auxiliary battery attachment forexisting main batteries. In the further exemplary embodiment depicted inFIG. 6, the circuitry, switching device 300, and auxiliary battery 200are provided as a “backpack” battery attachment system.

The conventional main battery 1000 does not share a common housing withthe auxiliary battery 200, but instead the two are coupled throughpositive coupling 330 and negative coupling 340, and a common circuitryhousing 509. The circuitry housing 509 is hung from the conventionalmain battery 1000 and its existing positive output 1100 and negativeoutput 1200. This allows application of the invention to existingconventional batteries.

The exemplary embodiment of the attachment device shown in FIG. 6 iscoupled to the existing main battery 1000 by disconnecting theelectrical leads (not shown) coming from the vehicle or machinery andapplying the leads to the common negative terminal 320 and commonpositive terminal 310 of the exemplary embodiment, located externally onthe common circuitry housing 509 in the embodiment depicted. Theexemplary embodiments depicted in both FIGS. 6 and 7 have the sameswitching device 300 as the previously discussed exemplary embodiments,but only six cells comprising the auxiliary battery 200 are enclosedwithin the circuitry housing 509. Auxiliary positive output 210 andauxiliary battery negative output 220 are also enclosed in the circuitryhousing and electrically coupled to the common positive terminal 310 andcommon negative terminal 320, in a manner similar to that discussedabove in the previous exemplary embodiments. The circuitry housing 509,the one-way charging circuit 400, and the switching device 300 can beprovided to perform all of the same functions of the previouslydescribed exemplary embodiments of the instant invention, along with thesame variations.

The exemplary embodiment shown includes a similar one-way chargingcircuits 400, that can include at least one one-way charging diode 400and similar switched circuit configurations with positions S1, S2 andS3, as described in relation to FIGS. 3 b, 4 b, and 5 b. Similaramperage ratings and voltages for various applications can be utilizedin the exemplary embodiments of the attachment system. This providessimilar functionality from the attachment system embodiments of theinstant invention. The positions would include a first, main, or normaloperating mode or position 350 in which the vehicle or equipmentoperates off the main battery 1000, which is always receiving a chargefrom the electrical system of the vehicle or equipment and charging theauxiliary battery 200; a secondary or auxiliary position 360, where theauxiliary battery 200 would be engaged as the sole source of electricalpower for the vehicle or device; and a tertiary or storage position 370.The second or auxiliary switch position 360 would be used for emergencyback up when needed to start and or operate the vehicle when the mainbattery 1000 is incapable of starting or operating the vehicle,equipment, or machinery. Thus the attachment device would provide aretrofit version of the instant invention, requiring no modification orconversion of existing vehicle or machinery electrical systems, whileproviding identical performance to the exemplary embodiments of themultiple battery system.

The shape and configuration of the exemplary embodiments of theattachment system can be varied to fit the specific space constraints ofvarious applications. For instance the further embodiment of FIG. 7 ishorizontally oriented so as to sit atop the main battery 1000 ratherthan hang from the side. The elements of the exemplary embodiment of theattachment device shown in FIG. 7 are similar to the exemplaryembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the conventional mainbattery 1000 does not share a common housing with the auxiliary battery200, but the two are coupled through a common circuitry housing 509 andcouplings 330 and 340. The principal differences being that theauxiliary battery 200 and couplings 330 and 340 sit atop the mainbattery 1000. Additionally, as mentioned above, the location of commonpositive and negative terminals 310, 320, the auxiliary outputs 210, 220and, to the extent that the existing conventional battery may allow, themain battery outputs 1100, 1200, the type of switching device 300 andthe voltage rating of the auxiliary battery 200 can be varied withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

FIG. 8A shows a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of theinstant invention incorporating an automated controller. In addition tothe switching device 300 and circuitry disclosed previously, anadditional control system is provided for automated control of theinvention. A controller 700 is provided, this can for instance be, butis not limited to, a microprocessor. The controller 700 is coupled tothe at least one sensor in the battery system to sense the condition ofat least one of the batteries through these connections.

The controller 700 monitors and detects various operating conditions ofthe batteries through the at least one sensor. The at least one sensorcan include, but is not limited to, any of an at least one main battery,an at least one auxiliary battery, and at least one switch sensor or anyadditional sensors that may be appropriate. The controller 700 cancontinuously or selectively monitor for example, but not limited to, anyof the following parameters with any of the at least one main,auxiliary, or switch sensors: the auxiliary battery voltage, the mainbattery voltage, the auxiliary battery amperage, the main batteryamperage, temperature, vibration, current, the switch state, the switchposition, and the condition of various flags and various timers withinthe system or similar parameters. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG.8A, an at least one main battery sensor is provided. The at least onemain battery sensor is shown as two main battery sensors 710,720. Thesemeasure the voltage through main battery sensor 710 and the amps throughmain battery sensor 720 of the main battery 100. Also in the exemplaryembodiment shown, an at least one auxiliary battery sensor is provided.The at least one auxiliary battery sensor is shown as two auxiliarysensors 730, 740. These measure the voltage, through auxiliary sensor730, and the amperage, through auxiliary sensor 740, of the auxiliarybattery 200. Additionally in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, an atleast one switch position sensor 750 can be provided to sense theposition and condition of the switching device 300.

In each case the sensors 710-750 communicate with the controller 700providing various parameter inputs. Upon detecting parameter inputs thatmatch pre-programmed conditions, set through flags, triggers, timers andother common control elements, the controller 700 sends a signal toswitching device 300 to change the state of the switching device 300.The controller 700 then verifies the result of the change of state. Theswitching sensor 750 is connected to the controller 300 to relayrelevant data on the switching device.

FIG. 8B shows a circuit diagram of yet a further embodiment of theinstant invention. In this further embodiment of the instant inventionan indicator element 775 is utilized in conjunction with an automatic acontroller 700 that provides fully automated functionality in theswitching of the instant invention. In this embodiment, the at least onesensor includes a main battery sensor 710 and an auxiliary batter sensor740 for sensing the condition of both batteries, respectively. In theexemplary embodiment, the automatic controller 700, through the mainbattery sensor 710, poles the main battery 100 to determine itscondition. Polling can also be done at the auxiliary battery orsimultaneously at either battery. If the automatic controller 700determines that an abnormal discharge condition exists, the indicatorelement 775 is activated to indicate the abnormal condition. Thecontroller 700 automatically switches the switching device element 300from a first operating position S1, in which the main battery 100 iscoupled to the electrical system and the auxiliary battery 200 iscoupled to the electrical system through a one-way charging diode 400,to a second operational position S2, where the main battery 100 isuncoupled from the electrical system and the auxiliary battery 200 iscoupled to the electrical system in a manner that bypasses the one-waycharging diode 400.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the controller 700 then monitors thecondition of the auxiliary battery 200 through the at least one sensor,for instance the auxiliary battery sensor 740 in FIG. 8B. Once asufficient charge to recharge the main battery 100 has been detected bythe auxiliary battery sensor 740, coming for example from the alternatoror other electrical generation devices in the electrical system, theautomatic controller 700 switches the system back to its first operatingmode S1 and both batteries are simultaneously charged. As part of the atleast one sensor, additional sensors or sensors in other parts of theelectrical system can monitor and report to the controller as well.These help to confirm the restoration of normal operations.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, if a fault/no charge condition isdetected from the electrical system, the auxiliary battery sensor 740will send this information to the automatic controller 700 and thecontroller 700 will then provide an indicator warning, for examplethrough the at least one indicator element 775, for an operator. Theindicator element 775 can be visually based, or audibly based or both.It can be for example, but is not limited to, a klaxon, a horn, a light,a plurality of lights, an LCD panel, a simulated human voice, a humanvoice, a light emitting diode, a plurality of light emitting diodes, orother suitable indicator. The at least one indicator element 775 can beactivated to provide an alert and/or provide notice of any or allbattery conditions, an electrical system failure, or any other conditionor state of the electrical system and/or the instant invention. Thisalert allows for the appropriate action to be taken in seekingassistance if a fault condition exists, as explained in relation to themethods described below.

FIG. 8C shows an electrical schematic of a still further embodiment ofthe instant invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 8C the charging circuitincludes an at least on Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) 4000 toprovide added safety and longevity for the auxiliary battery 200. Theembodiment utilizes a configuration similar to that of FIG. 8B, save forthe use of the SCR 4000. The SCR 4000 communicates with the controller700. The at least one sensor includes auxiliary sensor 740. If theauxiliary battery 200 is being overcharged, based on the auxiliarysensor 740 input, the SCR 4000 as part of the charging circuit can beshut down by the controller 700 effectively shutting off the circuitpathway to the auxiliary battery 200, thus uncoupling the auxiliarybattery 200 from the system in a controlled manner. This provides anadditional factor of safety by preventing overcharge of the auxiliarybattery 200 in the exemplary embodiment disclosed. Allowing for shutdownif an overcharge condition exists also improves the longevity of theauxiliary battery 200.

FIG. 9 shows circuit diagram for an auxiliary battery discharge cyclingsystem for a still further exemplary embodiment of the instantinvention. The still further embodiment of the instant invention isprovided that includes an auxiliary battery discharge cycling system800. This discharge cycling system can, for instance, be included as anautomated auxiliary battery discharge cycling system, as shown in theexemplary circuit diagram of FIG. 9. In other non-limiting examples ofexemplary embodiments, the discharge cycling system can be incorporatedas part of the controller 700 shown in FIG. 8 or as a separate manualdischarge unit or through simple instructions to the operator toperiodically run the vehicle in the second or auxiliary operationalsetting in an auxiliary setting for a short period of time.

The auxiliary battery discharge cycling system 800 would operate toensure the longevity of the auxiliary battery 200 by periodicallyengaging the auxiliary battery 200 to start and/or operate the vehicleor equipment. Such a system can include a timer 820 coupled to aswitching device 300, the timer 820 periodically activating theswitching device 300 which in turn switches the system to the auxiliaryoperational mode 360 for a short period of time, as described above inrelation to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b. The system would operate to periodicallyprovide for a slight discharge the auxiliary battery 200 in theauxiliary-operating mode 350. By providing for a slight discharge, theauxiliary battery 200 would be lower than its peak voltage and wouldthen need to be recharged by the battery system in its first or normaloperating mode, as described above. This would help extend the life ofthe auxiliary battery by maintaining the condition of the electrodes andkeeping the electrolytic solution active. The exemplary embodimentsemploying the auxiliary battery discharge cycling system 800 in itsvarious forms would only operate for a short period of time so as not toaccidentally run down the auxiliary battery 200.

The instant invention also acts as a discharge condition indicator. Ifan operator were to utilize the auxiliary battery 200 to start thevehicle or machinery, they would switch to the auxiliary circuitposition 360 or S2 in the circuit diagrams. Once the vehicle started theuser would return the switching device 300 to the normal or mainoperating position 350, engaging the circuit associated with the normaloperating position, in order to charge both batteries to full capacity.If upon returning the switching device 300 to the normal operatingposition 350 the engine were to stop running, it would indicate ageneral operating failure in the electrical system, for instance a badalternator or generator. At this point the operator would be able toreturn the switching device 300 to the auxiliary position 360 and engagethe auxiliary battery 200 to supply the needed energy to start and runthe vehicle or equipment from the auxiliary battery 200 allowing acertain amount of operating time, depending on the application, toobtain service. Thus the system allows for increased safety for atraveler, giving sufficient time, for instance, to get a car off theroad and home or to a service station.

FIG. 10A shows a component diagram of a still further exemplaryembodiment of the instant invention incorporating a wireless interfaceand wireless control input. In addition to the switching device 300 andcircuitry disclosed in any of the previous embodiments, an additionalwireless control system 1500 is provided in this embodiment. Thewireless control system 1500 may comprise, but is not limited to, one ormore of the following: an at least one microprocessor, a signaltransmitter, a signal receiver, a security protocol/encryption element,an indicator element and other typical control elements. The wirelesscontrol system 1500 is coupled to electrical control circuit having themicroprocessor controlled switching device 7000 with an at least twooperating positions and includes an at least one sensor to sense thecondition of at least one of the batteries.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10A, the wireless controller system1500 monitors and detects various operating conditions of the batteriesthrough the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor can include,but is not limited to, any of an at least one main battery, at least oneauxiliary battery, and an at least one switch sensor and/or anyadditional sensors. The at least one sensor can also include any of thepreviously disclosed sensors or other sensors coupled to the electricalsystem (not shown) for sensing the condition of the electrical system.The wireless controller system 1500, through the at least one sensormonitors the condition of the instant invention and the battery system.The wireless controller system 1500 can for example continuouslymonitor, but is not limited to, any of the following parameters with anyof the at least one sensors: the auxiliary battery voltage, the mainbattery voltage, the auxiliary battery amperage, the main batteryamperage, temperature, vibration, current, the switch state, the switchposition, and the condition of various flags and various timers withinthe system.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10A, the at least one sensor isshown as a main battery sensor 710 and an auxiliary battery sensor 740that are provided to monitor the respective batteries. These sensors canfor instance be, but are not limited to, VI sensors. The microprocessorcontrolled switch 7000 and the main and auxiliary battery sensors 710,740 are coupled to the wireless controller 1500 through an Input/Output(I/O) bus 7100. The automatically controlled microprocessor switch 7000is actuated by the wireless controller system 1500 in response to inputfrom a wireless input device 1550, as further described below.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, once the wireless controller system1500 senses a lower than required main battery parameter, a signal issent wirelessly or via a conventional electrical coupling to an at leastone indicator element 775, for example a light emitting diode (LED). Theat least one indicator element 775 may be coupled via a terrestrialcoupling, for instance through a wire to an LED in a vehicle dashboard.Alternatively and as shown in FIG. 10A, the indicator element 775 can bewirelessly coupled to the control system 1500, for instance by providinga transceiver in a wireless input device 1550 as shown in the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 10A, where the indicator element 775 is an LEDmounted on a key fob housing. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10A,with the wireless input device 1510 having a transceiver, a signal istransmitted from the wireless control system 1500 to the wireless inputdevice 1510 the input device transceiver mounted within the wirelessinput device 1550, here the key fob, which turns the indicator element775, an LED light, on. Although an LED light is specifically mentioned,any of the indicator elements previously discussed or other appropriateindicating devices may be used. An alert is thus provided andappropriate actions may then be taken to save power until the auxiliarybattery 200 is required.

The auxiliary battery 200 can be engaged immediately or when power isrequired. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10A, this is accomplishedthrough the transceiver within the wireless input device 1510 that isactivated, in this case a key fob with may also have a button that, oncedepressed, sends a signal to the wireless controller system 1500. Thewireless controller 1500, signals the microprocessor controlledswitching device 7000 to switch from normal operating mode S1 toauxiliary operating mode S2, isolating the main battery 100 and engagingthe auxiliary battery 200.

After the requirement for the auxiliary battery 200 has passed, thewireless controller 1500 continues to monitor the system through one ofthe at least one sensors, in this instance auxiliary battery sensor 740.It monitors the auxiliary battery 200 condition to detect whether it isbeing recharged. If a recharge condition is sensed, the wirelesscontroller system 1500 instructs the microprocessor controlled switchingdevice 7000 to switch back to a normal operating mode S1 and sends asignal to the indicator element 775, turning it off. If an abnormalrecharge condition or no recharge is sensed, the wireless controller1500 can activate the at least one indicator element 775 to provide asecond alert indicating an electrical fault condition. It can thenswitch to auxiliary mode and allow for the necessary service(s) to beobtained for the system.

FIG. 10B shows a component diagram of a yet another exemplary embodimentof the instant invention incorporating a network interfaced controllerand network. In referring to this exemplary embodiment and otherexemplary embodiments, a “controller” or “network interfaceablecontroller” refers to any apparatus that is capable of accepting astructured input, processing the structured input according toprescribed rules, and producing results of the processing as output. Theoutput may or may not affect the operation of other devices. Examples ofa controller include: a microprocessor, a programmable logic chip, adigital signal processor, a microcontroller, a computer; a generalpurpose computer; a supercomputer; a mainframe; a super mini-computer; amini-computer; a workstation; a micro-computer; a server; an interactivetelevision; and any a hybrid combination of a computer and aninteractive television. A computer also refers to two or more computersconnected together via a network for transmitting or receivinginformation between the computers. An example of such a networkinterfaceable controller includes a distributed control system forprocessing information via computers linked by a network.

A “network” refers to a number of controllers, computers, programmablelogic devices, and/or network controllers and associated devices thatare connected by a communication system and communication facilities toallow for communication. A network may involve permanent connectionssuch as cables or other terrestrial components or temporary connectionssuch as those made through telephone, satellite, cellular systems, radiofrequency transceivers, or other wireless communication links. Examplesof networks include: a cellular communications network, radio frequencynetworks, wireless data networks, an internet—such as the Internet; anintranet, a local area network (LAN); a wide area network (WAN); acontroller area network (CAN), local interconnect network (LIN) and acombination of networks, such as an internet and an intranet. Thisincludes specialized data monitoring networks, such as ONSTAR™ andsimilar services.

FIG. 10B shows a component diagram for an exemplary embodiment of theinstant invention utilizing a network interface. A network interfaceablecontroller 3510 polls the condition of its sensors. The networkinterfaceable controller 3510 is coupled to the battery system via anI/O port 7100. The I/O port 7100 is robust, with sufficient carryingcapacity to provide a full data stream to and from all of the sensors.The network interfaceable controller 3510 may regularly or selectivelyreport conditions via a network 5000, for instance a satellite networkor terrestrial cellular network, to a Network Operation Center (NOC)5010. The NOC 5010 monitors the condition of the sensed parameters ofthe network interface 3510, including the battery system condition. Ifthe condition of the main battery 100, as measured by any appropriateparameters and sensed by an at least one sensor, falls below setparameter(s) an indicator alert is triggered and/or sent to the NOC 5010via network 5000.

Appropriate actions are taken to conserve power and notify the operatorof the steps taken. For instance, all non-essential auxiliary electricdevices may be shut down by the NOC 5010. The NOC 5010, either after aresponse from an operator or upon its own volition, can switch thebattery to the auxiliary battery 200 through switch position S2 tofacilitate the power requirements of the electrical system. The operatoror the NOC 5010 can then confirm a satisfactory battery systemcondition. Alternatively, if used in a switched network of batteries,such as in solar generation systems, verification can be used in settingthe charging status of the system or in determining appropriate serviceneed for such an application.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the NOC 5010 or the networkinterfaceable controller 3510 allows the auxiliary battery 200 tocontinue to discharge while sensing output from a recharging device (notshown), for example an alternator, to the switched controller 5010through the at least one sensor. Based on the sensed output from therecharging device, the NOC 5010 can then switch the battery to thenormal operating position S1 and allow for normal operation S1 or, ifthe alternator output is abnormal, the NOC 5010 can alert the operatorto the electrical fault condition in the electrical system and return tothe auxiliary operating position S2.

FIG. 11A shows a flow chart of the operational steps for an exemplaryembodiment of the controller in the instant invention In step 2000, thecontroller, wireless controller, or network interfaced controller pollsthe at least one sensor to determine the condition of a main battery. Instep 2100, a decision is made via the processing logic to determine ifan abnormal operating parameter(s) is being reported on the mainbattery. If no abnormal operating parameters are present, the next stepfollows the negative branch of the decision loop and returns to step2000. The repetition may include a delay between successive pollingsteps 2000 or additional sensing steps for additional sensors. In theoperation of the exemplary embodiment of the invention with a networkinterfaced controller described in FIG. 11A, the network interfacedcontroller can also immediately report or periodically report the normaloperating status that is a result of the polling step 2000 via thenetwork to the NOC. However, if an abnormal operating parameter isidentified, the process moves along the affirmative branch of thedecision loop to step 2200. At step 2200, the controller signals theoperator or transmits to the NOC that an abnormal battery condition, forinstance a low battery voltage, has been detected.

A confirmation signal is returned to the controller and received in step2300 and the controller, the NOC, or the operator initiates energyconservation steps. For instance, if the instant invention is used in avehicle with headlights or similar lighting, this lighting could beturned off by the operator or remotely by the network. The invention mayreport these conservation steps to an operator, either immediately orupon the arrival of the operator at the system site.

In step 2400 the controller, network interfaced controller, or wirelesscontroller activates the switching device, for instance a microprocessorcontrolled switch, to switch the system from a first operational modewith the main battery engaged by the electrical system to an auxiliaryoperational mode, with the auxiliary battery being engaged by theelectrical system and the main battery being isolated.

The system then confirms normal operation in step 2500. The controllerthen monitors the electrical generation of the system in step 2600. Thecontroller analyzes the output of the generation and decision is made instep 2700. If the generation parameters are normal, the controller canswitch the switching device back to a main operational mode and engagethe main battery in step 2800. If an abnormal generation parameter(s) isdetected, an alert is sent to the operator and/or the NOC 5010 toindicate an electrical fault condition in step 2900

FIG. 11B shows a flow chart of the operational steps for the controllerin the instant invention including an automatic cycling method forcycling the auxiliary battery. In this additional method of operation,the automatic controller provides for a cycling routine to keep theauxiliary battery in good condition. Steps 2000-2900 are identical tothose previously discussed in relation to FIG. 11A, except that ifnormal operating parameters result in the polling step 2000, then anadditional decision step 6000 is made for a triggering event for thecycling method steps. The triggering even may be based on operationalparameters of the electrical system or on mileage or on time in service.

If no triggering event has occurred, then the negative branch isfollowed and the controller loops back to step 2000. If a triggeringeven is found, the controller at step 6100 switches the switching deviceinto the auxiliary operating mode at S2 and switch to the auxiliarybattery, as discussed previously. At step 6200, the controller thenmonitors for adequate charge and operation of the auxiliary battery. Thesystem then continues to step 6400, running the electrical system on theauxiliary battery. At method step 6500, the system checks dischargelevel of the auxiliary battery. After checking for discharge, thecontroller at step 6500 checks for the recharge of the auxiliary batter.The amount of recharging can be set by the controller for apredetermined time or amount of energy. After recharging battery at step6500, the system switches back to a normal operating position at step6600. The controller then loops back to the polling step 2000 and beginsthe method again.

FIG. 12A shows a further embodiment of the instant invention. Theembodiment of FIG. 12A shows a first operating position for an enhancedbattery management system. The charge balancing battery managementsystem 8000 provides added flexibility by allowing the multiple batterysystem to selectively engage and or recharge either battery, therebymanaging the charge balance of the system. Thus the charge balancebattery management system provides a significant benefit over previousdesigns.

The charge balancing battery management system 8000 incorporates some ofthe same features as the auxiliary battery discharge system discussed inrelation to FIG. 9, but extends the manner and flexibility formanagement of the battery conditions. The battery management system8000, like the auxiliary battery discharge system, can selectivelycontrol the discharge of either battery and, additionally, the chargebalancing battery management system 8000 can selectively control thecharging of each battery to maintain charge balance throughout themultiple battery system. The charge balancing battery management system8000 can thus operate to prevent discharge and thermal runawayconditions or similar disadvantageous operating conditions when they aresensed, but the charge balancing battery management system 8000 allowsthis upon detection of either condition in any of the batteries in themultiple battery system.

An at least one sensor 7000, shown here as two VI sensors 7001, 7003,couples to the charge balancing battery management system 8000 providinginformation on the condition of the batteries, vehicle, and/orelectrical system. The battery charge balancing battery managementsystem 8000 is coupled to an at least one switching device 300 with anat least two switch positions. In this instance, the at least oneswitching device 300 has, but is certainly not limited to, switchingpositions S1, S2 and S3. Additionally coupled to the charge balancingbattery management system 8000 is a one-way charging circuit 400. An atleast one charge-balancing relay 2 follows the one way charging circuit400. Although the at least one recharge selection mechanism is hereindepicted as recharge balancing relay 2, it should be noted that therecharge selection mechanism can for example also be, but is not limitedto, an at least one MOSFET device or similar solid state deviceproviding similar electrical path selection capabilities The at leastone charge-balancing relay 2 moves between an at least two relaypositions, in this exemplary embodiment this is depicted, bud does notlimit the invention, as a first relay position R1 and a second relayposition R2. The at least one switching device 300 and the at least onerecharge balancing relay 2 are selectively coupled to the main battery100 and the auxiliary battery 200 as shown in each of FIGS. 12A-12D bythe controller 700 as part of the battery management system 8000.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 12A, the at least one sensor 7000,here shown as the two VI sensors 7001, 7003, in this exemplaryembodiment, provide input to the charge balancing battery managementsystem 8000 regarding the condition of both the main and auxiliarybatteries 100, 200. Although a single auxiliary battery is depicted,multiple auxiliary batteries may be provided without departing from thespirit of the invention. Similarly, although the at least one switchingdevice 300 is shown as a single switching device and the at least onerecharge balancing relay 2 is shown as a single recharge balancingrelay, multiple switching devices and relays may be provided withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, althoughreference is made to switch positions S1 and S2 and relay positions R1and R2, these are provided only as non-limiting examples.

Depending on the sensed conditions, the charge balancing batterymanagement system 8000 through controller 700 switches the at least oneswitching device 300 and at least one recharge balancing relay 2. In theoperating configuration depicted in FIG. 12A, the switching device 300is in position S1 operating the electrical system from the main battery100. Simultaneously the at least one recharge balancing relay 2 is inrelay position RI providing the charge through the one-way chargingcircuit 400 to the auxiliary battery 200. In this configuration the mainbattery 100 is operating the electrical system and the auxiliary battery200 is being charged.

FIG. 12 b shows a second operating configuration of the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 12A.

In this configuration the at least one switching device 300 is in switchposition S1 again running the electrical system from the main battery100. However, the at least one recharge balancing relay 2 is in relayposition R2 closing the circuit between the one way charging circuit 400and the main battery 100. By closing the at least one recharge balancingrelay 2 to the relay position R2 the electrical flow to the auxiliarybattery 200 ceases. This condition would result when an overcharge orthermal runway or similar adverse condition is detected. Thiseffectively prevents charge from entering the auxiliary battery 200 andcausing damage to the battery. The system may also switch operatingconfigurations to discharge the auxiliary batter 200 in a manner similarto the auxiliary battery discharge system discussed above in relation toFIG. 9.

FIG. 12C shows a still further operating configuration of the embodimentdisclosed in FIG. 12A. In FIG. 12C the charge balancing batterymanagement system 8000 through controller 700 puts the at least oneswitching device 300 in position S2 engaging the auxiliary battery 200to operate the electrical system. The controller 700 also sets the atleast one recharge balancing relay 2 to relay position R2, coupling theat least one charging circuit 400 to the main battery 100 and providingunidirectional charge to the main battery 100. Simultaneously, theelectrical system is being operated by and charging the auxiliarybattery 200 as shown.

FIG. 12D shows a still further operating configuration of the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 12A. In this configuration, the at least oneswitching device 300 is again set to switch position S2. The at leastone recharge balancing relay 2 is in relay position R1 coupling the atleast one charging circuit 400 to auxiliary battery 200. This isolatesthe main battery 100 from the multiple battery system. In thisconfiguration the electrical system is operating on the auxiliarybattery 200 without charging the main battery 100. The multiple batterysystem would enter this configuration if the charge balancing batterymanagement system 8000 sensed a thermal runaway or similar adversecondition in the main battery 100 or if the main battery 100 weredamaged and not holding a charge. This operational mode could beaccompanied by an audio or visual alarm similar to that described inrelation to FIG. 11.

The embodiments and examples discussed herein are non-limiting examples.The invention is described in detail with respect to exemplaryembodiments, and it will now be apparent from the foregoing to thoseskilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the invention in its broader aspects, and the invention,therefore, as defined in the claims is intended to cover all suchchanges and modifications as fall within the true spirit of theinvention.

1. A multiple battery management system comprising: a common positiveand common negative terminal; an at least one main battery having a mainpositive output and a main negative output; an at least one auxiliarybattery having an auxiliary positive output and an auxiliary negativeoutput; and a battery management system comprising an at least onecontroller, an at least one switching device, an at least one rechargingselection mechanism, and an at least one sensor, wherein the batterymanagement system selectively couples the common positive terminal withat least one of the at least one main positive battery output or the atleast one auxiliary battery positive output and the at least onerecharging selection mechanism selectively couples to at least one ofthe at least one main or at least one auxiliary battery by coupling,through the at least one one-way charging circuit that proceeds therecharging selection mechanism, the common positive terminal with therespective at least on battery.
 2. The multiple battery managementsystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one recharging selectionmechanism is one of an at least one relay or an at least one MOSFET orsimilar solid state electrical component.
 3. The multiple batterymanagement system of claim 2, wherein the at least one switching devicehas at least two operating positions and a first operating position ofthe at least two operating positions couples the common positiveterminal to the main positive output of the at least one main battery.4. The multiple battery management system of claim 3, wherein second ofthe two operating positions couples the common positive terminal throughthe at least one switching device to the auxiliary positive output ofthe at least one auxiliary battery.
 5. The multiple battery managementsystem of claim 4, wherein the at least one recharging selectionmechanism has at least two settings, a first setting wherein rechargingis provided through the one-way charging circuit to the auxiliarybattery and a second setting wherein charge is provided through theone-way charging circuit to the main positive output of the mainbattery.
 6. The multiple battery management system of claim 5, whereinthe battery management system senses the condition of the at least oneof the at least one main and at least one auxiliary batteries andselectively engages the at least one switching device in said firstposition and said at least one recharge selection mechanism in saidfirst position, coupling the main output of the at least one mainbattery to the common positive output and recharging the at least oneauxiliary battery through the at least one one-way charging circuit. 7.The multiple battery management system of claim 5, wherein the batterymanagement system senses the condition of the at least one of the atleast one main and at least one auxiliary batteries and selectivelyengages the at least one switching device in said first position andsaid at least one recharge selection mechanism in said second position,coupling the main output of the at least one main battery to the commonpositive output and recharging the at least one main battery through theat least one one-way charging circuit, whereby the at least oneauxiliary battery is electrically isolated.
 8. The multiple batterymanagement system of claim 5, wherein the battery management systemsenses the condition of the at least one of the at least one main and atleast one auxiliary batteries and selectively engages the at least oneswitching device in said second position and said at least one rechargeselection mechanism in a first position, coupling the auxiliary positiveoutput of the at least one auxiliary battery to the common positiveoutput and recharging the at least one auxiliary battery through the atleast one one-way charging circuit, whereby the at least one mainbattery is electrically isolated.
 9. The multiple battery managementsystem of claim 5, wherein the battery management system senses thecondition of the at least one main and at least one auxiliary batteriesand selectively engages the at least one switching device in said secondposition and said at least one recharge selection mechanism in a secondposition, coupling the auxiliary positive output of the at least oneauxiliary battery to the common positive output and recharging the atleast one main battery through the at least one one-way chargingcircuit.
 10. The multiple battery management system of claim 1, whereinthe at least one one-way charging circuit comprises an at least oneone-way charging diode.
 11. The multiple battery management system ofclaim 10, wherein the at least one one-way charging diode furthercomprises an at least one silicon rectifier.
 12. The multiple batterymanagement system of claim 11, wherein the at least one one-way chargingdiode further comprises an at least one silicon controlled rectifier(SCR).
 13. The multiple battery management system of claim 5, whereinthe controller couples to and communicates with a position sensor todetect the position of the switching device and selectively engages theswitching device based on the input of at least one of an at least onemain battery voltage sensor, an at least one main battery amperagesensor, an at least one auxiliary battery voltage sensor, and an atleast one auxiliary battery amperage sensor.
 14. A vehicle multiplebattery system comprising: an accessory battery having an accessorypositive output and an accessory negative output; a starter batteryhaving a starter positive output and a starter negative output; acontroller coupled to an at least one sensor, the controller sensing thecondition of the accessory and starter batteries and switching an atleast one switching device to one of the at least two switchingpositions; and a switching device with at least two operating positions,the at least two operating positions selectively engaging said accessorybattery and said starter battery and comprising; a first operatingposition of said at least two operating positions wherein the commonpositive terminal is coupled to the accessory positive output and isfurther coupled to the at least one starter battery positive outputthrough a one-way charging circuit between and preceding the at leastone starter battery and; a second operating position of said at leasttwo operating positions which couples the common positive terminal tothe starter positive such that the common positive terminal is coupledat a point beyond the one-way charging circuit to the starter batterypositive.
 15. The vehicle multiple battery system of claim 14, whereinupon sensing a startup sequence, the controller can place the at leastone switching device in the second operating position which puts thestarter battery alone in series with the electrical system and preventselectrical energy in the starter battery from flowing to the accessorybattery.
 16. The vehicle multiple battery system of claim 14, whereinthe one-way charging circuit electrically isolates the accessory batteryin the second operating position.
 17. The vehicle multiple batterysystem of claim 14, wherein in the first operating position, the one-waycharging circuit permits electrical energy from the electrical system toflow into both the accessory and starter batteries, but preventselectrical energy from flowing out of the starter battery.
 18. Thevehicle multiple battery system of claim 17, wherein in the secondoperating position, the accessory battery is electrically isolated fromthe starter battery.
 19. The vehicle multiple battery system of claim14, wherein only the positive outputs of the accessory battery and theat least one starter battery are switched by the switching device. 20.The vehicle multiple battery system of claim 14, wherein the secondoperating position of the at least two operating positions fullydisconnects the accessory battery from the electrical system andintroduces only the at least one starter battery.
 21. The vehiclemultiple battery system of claim 14, wherein the accessory battery is a60 amp hour battery.
 22. The vehicle multiple battery system of claim14, wherein the at least one starter battery is a 25 amp hour battery.23. The vehicle multiple battery system of claim 14, wherein the one-waycharging circuit comprises an at least one one-way charging diode. 24.The vehicle multiple battery system of claim 23, wherein the at leastone-way charging diode further comprises an at least one siliconrectifier.
 25. The vehicle multiple battery system of claim 24, whereinthe at least one silicon rectifier is a silicon controlled rectifier.26. The vehicle multiple battery system of claim 25, wherein thecontroller is coupled to and switches the switching device and iscoupled to and controls the silicon controlled rectifier.
 27. Thevehicle multiple battery system of claim 26, further comprising at leastone sensor in communication with the controller.
 28. The vehiclemultiple battery system of claim 27, wherein the at least one sensor incommunication with the controller includes an at least one switchposition sensor to detect the position of the switching device andwherein the controller actuates the switching device based on input fromthe at least one switching device sensor and at least one of a batteryvoltage sensor, a current sensor, and a VI sensor.
 29. The vehiclemultiple battery system of claim 28, wherein the at least one SiliconControlled Rectifier (SCR) is coupled to the controller and disables thecoupling of the Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) with the at least oneauxiliary battery if a thermal runaway condition is detected in theauxiliary battery by the at least one sensor.
 30. A vehicle multiplebattery management system comprising: a common positive and commonnegative terminal; an at least one accessory battery having an accessorypositive output and a accessory negative output; at least one starterbattery having a starter positive output and an starter negative output;and a battery management system comprising an at least one controller,an at least one switching device, an at least one recharging selectionmechanism, and an at least one sensor, wherein the battery managementsystem selectively couples the common positive terminal with at leastone of the accessory or starter battery positive outputs and the batterymanagement system also selectively couples the at least one rechargingselection mechanism to the accessory or the starter battery by coupling,through the at least one one-way charging circuit that proceeds therecharging selection mechanism, the respective battery output to thecommon output.
 31. The vehicle multiple battery management system ofclaim 30, wherein the at least on recharging selection mechanism is oneof an at least one relay or an at least one MOSFET or similar solidstate electrical component.
 32. The vehicle multiple battery managementsystem of claim 31, wherein the at least one switching device has atleast two operating positions and a first operating position of the atleast two operating positions couples the common positive terminal tothe accessory positive output of the at least one accessory battery. 33.The vehicle multiple battery management system of claim 32, whereinsecond of the two operating positions couples the common positiveterminal through the at least one switching device to the starterpositive output of the at least one starter battery.
 34. The vehiclemultiple battery management system of claim 33, wherein the at least onerecharging selection mechanism has at least two settings, a firstsetting wherein recharging is provided through the one-way chargingcircuit to the starter battery and a second setting wherein charge isprovided through the one-way charging circuit to the accessory positiveoutput of the accessory battery.
 35. The vehicle multiple batterymanagement system of claim 34, wherein the battery management systemsenses the condition of the at least one accessory and at least onestarter batteries and selectively engages the at least one switchingdevice in said first position and said at least one recharge selectionmechanism in said first position, coupling the accessory output of theat least one accessory battery to the common positive output andrecharging the at least one starter battery through the at least oneone-way charging circuit.
 36. The vehicle multiple battery managementsystem of claim 34, wherein the battery management system senses thecondition of the at least one of the at least one accessory and at leastone starter batteries and selectively engages the at least one switchingdevice in said first position and said at least one recharge selectionmechanism in said second position, coupling the accessory output of theat least one accessory battery to the common positive output andrecharging the at least one accessory battery through the at least oneone-way charging circuit, whereby the at least one starter battery iselectrically isolated.
 37. The vehicle multiple battery managementsystem of claim 34, wherein the battery management system senses thecondition of the at least one of the at least one accessory and at leastone starter batteries and selectively engages the at least one switchingdevice in said second position and said at least one recharge selectionmechanism in a first position, coupling the starter positive output ofthe at least one starter battery to the common positive output andrecharging the at least one starter battery through the at least oneone-way charging circuit, whereby the at least one accessory battery iselectrically isolated.
 38. The vehicle multiple battery managementsystem of claim 34, wherein the battery management system senses thecondition of the at least one of the at least one accessory and at leastone starter batteries and selectively engages the at least one switchingdevice in said second position and said at least one recharge selectionmechanism in a second position, coupling the starter positive output ofthe at least one starter battery to the common positive output andrecharging the at least one accessory battery through the at least oneone-way charging circuit.
 39. The vehicle multiple battery managementsystem of claim 30, wherein the at least one one-way charging circuitcomprises an at least one one-way charging diode.
 40. The vehiclemultiple battery management system of claim 39, wherein the at least oneone-way charging diode further comprises an at least one siliconrectifier.
 41. The vehicle multiple battery management system of claim40, wherein the at least one one-way charging diode further comprises anat least one silicon controlled rectifier (SCR).
 42. The vehiclemultiple battery management system of claim 34, wherein the controllercouples to and communicates with the position sensor to detect theposition of the switching device and selectively engages the switchingdevice based on the input of at least one of an at least one accessorybattery voltage sensor, the at least one accessory battery amperagesensor, an at least one starter battery voltage sensor, and an at leastone amperage sensor.
 43. The vehicle multiple battery management systemof claim 30, wherein the controller further comprises an at least oneindicator element.
 44. The vehicle multiple battery management system ofclaim 43, wherein the at least one indicator element is at least one ofa klaxon, a horn, a light, a plurality of lights, an LCD panel, asimulated human voice, a human voice, a light emitting diode, aplurality of light emitting diodes.
 45. The vehicle multiple batterymanagement system of claim 43, wherein the at least one indicatorelement is a plurality of indicator elements having at least one of ared, orange, green, or amber color.
 46. The multiple battery managementsystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary battery comprisesa single auxiliary battery.
 47. The multiple battery management systemof claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary battery comprises aplurality of auxiliary batteries.
 48. A method of battery managementdetecting the condition of an at least one main battery and an at leastone auxiliary battery; selectively switching a multiple battery systemhaving a main and an auxiliary battery between an at least two positionsto selectively engage at least one of the main or auxiliary batteriesbased on charge balancing parameters set within a controller;selectively recharging a battery system through selectively engaging afirst of an at least two positions in a recharging mechanism; andmaintaining a charge level in each battery through the selectiveswitching and selective recharge of the batteries in the system.
 49. Themultiple battery management system of claim 3, wherein the batterymanagement system further comprises an at least one of: an at least onemicroprocessor, an at least one signal processor, an at least one set oflookup tables, an at least one memory device, an at least one securityprotocol/encryption element and an at least one indicator element. 50.The vehicle multiple battery system of claim 49, wherein the at leastone indicator element is at least one of a klaxon, a horn, a light, aplurality of lights, an LCD panel, a simulated human voice, a humanvoice, a light emitting diode, a plurality of light emitting diodes. 51.The vehicle multiple battery system of claim 50, wherein the at leastone indicator element is a plurality of indicator elements having atleast one of a red, orange, green, or amber color.